Clean Hardwood Floors

Floors take on a lot, including daily traffic and inevitable spills, scuffs, or mishaps. The best way to clean hardwood floors starts with smart preventive measures, which not only help protect floors but also cut down on the time you spend cleaning. To lessen tracked-in dirt, place floor mats both outside and inside exterior doors. In snowy or rainy weather, set up a boot removal area to avoid damaging floors with tracked in water and de-icing agents. Along with a spot to sit down and a place to store shoes, keep a rag or cleaning cloth tucked away next to the door to quickly clean up errant puddles on wood floors.

Even when the forecast doesn't call for precipitation, it's smart to remove shoes when coming indoors so dirt, grime, and germs don't get tracked all over the house. Especially with hardwood floors, scratch-causing heels and cleats should be checked at the door. Prevent marks on hardwood floors by using floor protectors under furniture and adding rugs in play areas to ensure children's toys don't scratch the floor. In addition to these daily best practices, follow our tips for cleaning wood floors to keep your home in top shape.

Sweeping

Ditch the standard push broom for one with softer bristles. Brooms made for wood floors can clean without scratching softer woods like walnut and birch. Regular sweeping helps remove dirt and debris that can scratch at you floor's finish over time. We also recommends making it a habit to remove your shoes, especially heels and those with treads that can trap gravel or rocks.

Vacuuming

Just like sweeping, vacuuming needs to be done with soft bristles or on the bare floor setting. Keep in mind that soft woods require more delicate cleaning like a soft bristle attachment for gentler maintenance. If you have rugs over your wood floor, make sure they are breathable.

"Mats and rugs are a floor’s best friend, with one exception. "Avoid the ones with rubber or vinyl backings if possible-they can trap moisture."

Mopping

Clean spills as soon as they happen to avoid warping. Pre-finished floors will deter staining, but if you have older oiled hardwood you'll need to remove water rings manually. Once dry, pass over a microfiber mop with a formulated floor cleaner-never us water, as it can damage hardwood over time.

Even DIY cleaners have their downsides: "Don't rely on water alone or a vinegar and water solution to clean hardwood floors,". "Mopping with water will result in dingy-looking floors and won't-budge dirt buildup." 

Find the Best Wood Floor Cleaner

If you're unsure about the best hardwood floor cleaner for your home, talk to your flooring manufacturer. They can often recommend a specific cleaner to use for their product. But if your floor isn't new, or you can't consult the manufacturer, pick a product that is specifically made for cleaning wood floors. Don't use vinyl or tile floor cleaners as these products will damage, rather than clean, wood floors. If you're concerned about using harsh chemicals, look for hardwood floor cleaners that are Greenguard Gold certified, which means they're safe to use in homes with kids and pets. Otherwise, try the natural route with a homemade cleaning solution for your floors.

How to Clean Wood Floors Naturally

For a natural wood floor cleaner, use a common kitchen staple: vinegar. Learning how to clean hardwood floors with vinegar will save you money on top of providing a safe cleaning method for your floors. Clean wood floors with vinegar by adding 1/2 cup white vinegar to a gallon of lukewarm water. Follow the tips for how to clean hardwood floors with a mop, above, to prevent water damage. Then use vinegar to naturally clean the rest of your home!

Note: Vinegar can dull certain hardwood flooring finishes, so always test your solution in an inconspicuous spot before using the ingredient to clean your floors.

How to Remove Stains on Hardwood Floors

Consider your flooring's finish before trying to remove a stain from wood floors. If the stain is on the surface, your floor probably has a hard finish, such as urethane. If the finish stain has penetrated through to the wood, the floor probably has a soft oiled finish, common in older homes whose floors have not been refinished and resealed. For floors with a hard finish, wipe surface stains with a soft, clean cloth. Never use sandpaper, steel wool, or harsh chemicals because they can permanently damage the finish.

The following remedies are for hardwood floors with soft oiled finishes. If needed, end each treatment by staining the wood, then waxing and buffing the spot to match the rest of the floor.

• Remove dark spots and pet stains: Rub the spot with No. 000 steel wool and floor wax. If the area is still dark, apply bleach or vinegar and allow it to soak into the wood for about an hour. Rinse with a damp cloth.

 

• Remove heel marks: Use fine steel wool to rub in floor wax.

 

• Remove oil-based stains: Rub the area with a soft cloth and dish detergent to break down the grease. Rinse with clear water. If one application doesn't work, repeat the procedure. Keep children and pets out of the room until you're done. Let the spot dry, then smooth the raised grain with fine sandpaper.

 

• Remove watermarks or white stains: Rub the spot with No. 000 steel wool and floor wax. If the stain goes deeper, lightly sand the floor and clean with fine steel wool and odorless mineral spirits.

Additionally, know when you need to take the assistance of professional end of lease cleaners in Gold Coast instead of cleaning yourself.  

The Bond cleaning provides high quality cleaning services in Gold Coast and surrounding suburbs, with 100% satisfaction guarantee. 

Call Now: +61 422-493-351