Tips for Cleaning Hardwood Floors

Though hardwood floors are durable, they do require careful maintenance and cleaning. Using the wrong cleaner on a hardwood floor could stain or discolor the wood irreparably. Follow these tips to keep your hardwood floors looking like new for years to come. Remember, before you apply anything to your hardwood floor, you should test the product in an inconspicuous area to ensure that it will not damage your wood.

Daily Care

The number-one enemy of hardwood floors is dirt, along with its cousins grit and sand. To prevent dirt, grit and sand from scratching or dulling the finish, simply vacuum your hardwood floors on a regular basis and clean with a damp, not wet, cotton mop once or twice a month. Your vacuum should have an attachment with a soft head. Never use a vacuum with a beater brush on a hardwood floor. Use doormats or small area rugs at entrances and in high-traffic areas to trap dirt and other fine particles.

Whether your hardwood floors are finished with wax, varnish or polyurethane, any food or liquid that spills on the floor should be wiped up immediately with a damp cloth and then dried with a clean towel. Water and other liquids should not remain on the surface of hardwood floors because they might damage the finish or seep in between the floorboards and cause warping. (Read more)