Hardwood Floor Cleaning

Hardwood floor cleaning is something you need to research so you don't risk damage to your floor. Wood is surprisingly easy to care for, but you do need to take some things into consideration when you take on a hardwood floor cleaning task.

Why “Go Green”?

Some of the commercially available cleaning supplies contain harsh chemicals, which may get your floors clean, but leave behind chemical residues. These residues can in turn be picked up by your family members and pets as they walk on the floor. Thankfully, you don’t have to resort to harsh methods to maintain the beauty of your hardwood floors. Cleaning and caring for your floors is simple if you learn a little more about the type of finish you have, and the best ways to clean different types of spills or stains.

Check the current condition and finish of your floors:

Begin the hardwood floor cleaning process by evaluating the current condition of your floor. You walk on it dozens, even hundreds of times a day, but if you haven’t taken a good, long look at your floor, do it now. You can’t really clean your floor unless you know what it is made from, what its current condition is, and what type of protective finish it has.

Take a few minutes to examine the floor, and determine:

• Is it actually wood? Some “wood” floors in newer homes are laminate, and require different methods of cleaning and care.
• What is the current condition? Is it dirty and in need of a good sweeping, or is it scratched and damaged? Drizzle a small amount of water on top. Does it get absorbed by the wood, or form a drop on top? If it gets absorbed, you may need to refinish the floor soon, as the protective coating is wearing down.
• What type of protective finish does your floor have? Modern homes usually have an acrylic or oil based polyurethane sealer. Older homes may have a wax finish. You can tell which type it has by looking—sealers that are pained on look like a clear coat of nail polish. Oil and wax finishes have a more of a sheen than a shine, and if you run your hand over the wood, it will feel smooth, not slick. If you can’t tell from the wood in a traffic zone, move a piece of furniture and check underneath.

If your floor is wood, and is just a little dirty then the following green hardwood floor cleaning tips can be used:

For daily cleaning: Use a broom to sweep away debris each day. Small particles of dirt and tiny stones can wreak havoc with your finish—sweeping them up each day will help eliminate damage. You can also mop with a soft, dry mop with a cotton top. You can make your own cotton topped mop by knitting a pad from 100% cotton and placing it over the pad from a traditional dust mop if you can’t find a cotton one. The mop will gently collect dust and debris without scratching your floors. Be sure to clean up any spills immediately. Allowing anything wet to sit on a hardwood floor will damage the finish—if you have ever left a glass on a wood table; you know the damage water can do!

Seasonal deep cleaning: If you have an oil or wax based finish, you can clean your floors as needed using beeswax. Beeswax is 100% natural, and will give your floors a soft, natural sheen that is reminiscent of high quality antique furniture, and non-toxic to your family and pets. To apply, rub the wax on with a soft cloth, wait a few minutes, and rub the excess wax away. A wax finish offers superior protection, a “greener” home, and allows for simple, speedy daily hardwood floor cleaning.

If your floor is damaged: or you want to remove chemical finishes, strip the existing finish by sanding it away, then seal with beeswax. Once sealed, your hardwood floor will be clean and green, and easy to care for as well.

Hardwood floor cleaning and care is an important part of maintaining and caring for your home, and with the right information and techniques, it is simple to do as well.

Thanks for visiting.

Happy cleaning!