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 Though hardwood flooring has been around for quite
some time, there is still some confusion about the best way to maintain it. One
of the biggest problems that people come across when it's time to clean
hardwood is that there are so many different types of hardwood available, and
some finishes require different care than others. Hardwood cleaning is far from
rocket science, however, and with the right materials, tools, and guidelines,
anyone can successfully clean hardwood with great results.
Think beyond Kitchen
Flooring To Best Clean Hardwood, Get Professional Advice
First off, when you get a
new hardwood floor installed, it is a good idea to ask the folks doing the job
about what should and shouldn't be used to on your floor. In most cases, they
will be able to give you a good idea of what to purchase and the techniques
they would use as professionals to clean your particular type of flooring.
Unfortunately, most people
who are looking for advice on hardwood floor cleaning are simply not around for
the installation of their floor (and many times, the floor was installed a
generation or two too early for the installers to be asked questions about its
care today). You may want to talk to a professional who specializes in
restoration about hardwood cleaning, especially if your floor was installed
many years ago |
Engineered and Laminate
Hardwood Floor Cleaning
Probably the easiest type of
hardwood cleaning is not really hardwood cleaning, at all. Engineered lumber
and laminate flooring were created to have the appearance of wood (and in the
case of engineered products, a surface of genuine wood) without all of natural
hardwood's complications. Both products require a quick sweep, vacuum, or dust
mop a few times a week, and each can be damp mopped so long as a minimal amount
of water is used. Neither product should be wet mopped, waxed, or sanded. Make
sure to clean up spills ASAP, and avoid soap based detergents and "mop and
shine" type products, as they can leave a film on the surface of these floors.
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Classic Hardwood
Cleaning
Though new hardwood floors
are generally sealed with urethane, you can still easily find classic wax
sealed hardwood flooring in older houses. In these situations, hardwood
cleaning can be a bit of a chore. Once again, clean up spills immediately to
prevent stains. These floors are particularly vulnerable to liquid, so it's
never a good idea to use a wet or even a damp mop to clean them. Vacuum, sweep,
or dust mop often to prevent scratches caused by tracked in dirt, and
periodically buff the floor to make it shine. These floors sometimes need to be
partially sanded and re-waxed to remove individual stains. Once wax builds up
thick enough and floors loose their luster, the wax must be stripped and a new
layer of wax should be applied. |
Cleaning Hardwood Floors
Sealed with Urethane
Modern, urethane sealed
hardwood floor cleaning is a lot like cleaning engineered or laminate floors.
These, however, are more susceptible to moisture damage, and shouldn't be
mopped. Never wax a urethane sealed floor, as it can severely damage the
finish, or even void your warranty. Urethane finishes are more durable than wax
finishes, but can still be scratched. It is a good idea to vacuum, sweep or dry
mop frequently to prevent damage |
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