We love hardwood floors- they’re gorgeous, timeless, and durable. But cleaning them correctly can sometimes be confusing, and if you do it incorrectly it can have costly consequences. We’ve gathered a few tips to help guide you through the process of good hardwood floor care so that you can have clean flooring that will look great for years to come.
1. Prevent Water and Dirt From Coming Into Your Home
The first step to cleaning your floors is to keep them clean! Water and dirt wreak all sorts of havoc on your hardwood floors. Water, of course, damages the flooring and weakens it. But dirt can have similar negative effects on your floor- tiny pieces of dirt will rub against and destroy your hardwood’s finish over time.
To prevent this, make sure you close windows and doors when you expect rain, and put doormats inside and outside of your home. The doormats will provide a place for people to dry and rub off their shoes before stepping onto the hardwood. If you are also able to, ask guests and your family members to remove their shoes inside of your home. This will help keep your floors clean and avoid potential damage.
2. Sweep, Damp Mop, or Vacuum Your Floors Regularly
We’ve told you why dirt is bad news. The next step to keeping your hardwood floors clean and in great shape is regular light cleaning, including sweeping, vacuuming, or damp mopping. Make sure that you are doing this at least once a week to keep your hardwood floors clean and prevent wear caused by loose dirt. If you use a vacuum, use one that is safe for wood flooring (one that doesn’t scratch the finish).
3. Identify The Type of Flooring You’re Working With
The most important factor to choosing the right floor cleaner for your flooring is to identify what kind of flooring you’re working with. Different hardwoods are treated differently and may need more gentle cleaners to avoid damaging the treatment. In our next article on the subject, we’ll go into more detail about what cleaning methods are best for which types of finishes.
Have a major floor cleaning project? Let us handle it for you! Cleanville Carpet Care has all the professional know how and equipment it takes to get the job done quickly and effectively. Give us a call and let us wow you with how much better your home will feel after we’re done with it. And be sure to read the second installment in our two part hardwood floor cleaning series!
