How to properly clean hardwood floors: Hardwood floors are a major investment in your home.  They greatly contribute to the beauty, richness and value of your property.  With proper maintenance and cleaning, most wood floors will last a lifetime.

Cleaning wood floors is a very simple process.  Begin by removing lose dirt, pebbles and other contaminants by vacuuming the floor or by using a dry microfiber dust mop.  When using a vacuum to clean your floor, do not use a vacuum with a carpet beater bar.  Use attachments that will not scratch the finish on the floor, such as a horse hair brush or synthetic brush.  Once the floor is clean of lose debris, clean the floor with a damp, washable microfiber mop.  Take care not to leave excess amounts of water on the floor.  Water (especially soft water) is good for general cleaning. 

When using commercial cleaning products to clean the floor, use only products recommended by the National Wood Floor Association.  Such products include but are not limited to Bruce Wood Floor Cleaner and Bona Wood Floor Cleaner (follow instructions on the bottle for proper application and dilution ratios).  Do not use products that contain wax, oils or other products that leave a residue on the floor.  Doing so will make it very difficult for you floor to be “recoated” (applying a new coat of finish to your wood floor).

 

When areas begin to look worn, very dull or dirty that can’t be cleaned, it is time to get a recoat.  Doing so will save you the expense and hassle of having the floor sanded down to bare wood and being refinished.  Worn areas tend to appear in high traffic areas such as hallways, in front of couches and refrigerators.  Places where you pivot your feet to make a turn are also areas that see extensive wear.  Keeping your floor free from dirt and debris helps prevent scuffs and scratches.  Clean your floor as often as you think is necessary.  A clean floor is a longer lasting floor.