Learn how to care for hardwood floors by using these natural cleaners and following these simple tips. Keep in mind: Price and stock could change after publish date, and we may make money from these affiliate links. Hardwood floors bring an earthy, warm beauty to your home. They’re durable and, with proper care, last for decades. You can keep them looking lovely by following these tips
on how to clean hardwood floors. The first step: Use a dust mop or vacuum to remove dirt, dust, pet hair and other debris that could scratch the floor. Don’t use a vacuum with a beater bar attachment as it could damage the surface of the floor. Use the floor-brush attachment. Depending on traffic and the number of pets and children you have, you’ll need to do this at
least once a week. Dust mopping won’t remove the dirt and grime that build up over time. For periodic deep cleaning, you’ll need to use a liquid cleaner. You can use a commercial wood-cleaning product, like Bona or Murphy Oil Soap. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. You can also make your own cleaner by mixing one part vinegar to 10 parts warm water. Add a few drops of
liquid Castile soap. Whatever cleaner you choose, the process for how to clean wood floors and how to clean engineered hardwood floors is the same. Saturate a rag or sponge mop in your
cleaning solution. Wring it out thoroughly so the mop is damp, not wet. Mop the floor with the cleaner, being careful to not put too much liquid on the floor. Rinse the mop with clean water, wring out excess, and damp mop the floor to remove the cleaner. Wipe up excess water with a clean, dry towel because standing water will damage the floor. You can also use boiling water and two teabags to clean hardwood floors. The tannic acid in tea creates a beautiful shine. Let
two teabags steep in the boiling water for a few minutes. Pour the tea into a bucket. Take a soft cloth and wring it out in the tea. The cloth merely needs to be damp, not soaked. This will enable the floor to dry quickly. Wash the floor and be ready to be amazed by the sheen. Covering scratches that remain after cleaning is part of knowing how to clean a wood floor. Take a crayon the color of the floor and rub it on the scratch to fill the gap. Turn a blow dryer on
high, heat the area where the crayon was applied and buff it with a soft cloth. Prevent dirt and damage to your newly cleaned floors. Put doormats inside and outside exterior doors to cut down on the dirt and moisture tracked in. Avoid scratches by using floor protectors under furniture and putting down rugs in high-traffic areas. Knowing how to clean a wood floor will keep yours looking beautiful for years. If you think hardwood floors are delicate and require special TLC, think again. It's quite the opposite really: Most wood floors are finished with polyurethane, making them one of the most durable flooring options out there. Like everything else in your home, it's best to clean hardwood floors well and often. Wood floors can be prone to wear and tear, especially in high-traffic areas, that's why Carolyn Forte, director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab, has an easy-to-follow guide on most effective ways to restore your dull, dirty hardwood floors. How to Clean Hardwood FloorsNot every hardwood floor needs the same level of care. First, examine how much traffic your floors get and then establish a cleaning schedule that makes the most sense. As a general rule of thumb, hardwood floors should be vacuumed at least weekly and wet cleaned every one to two months (more or less frequently, depending on traffic). When it comes time to clean, follow the steps below:
How to Remove Scuff Marks from Hardwood FloorsBecause dirt isn't always the main culprit. When you move furniture or wear shoes indoors, you may notice scuffs on your hardwood floors. Luckily, they can easily be rubbed away with some elbow grease. More From Good Housekeeping
Tried-and-Tested Tips for Cleaner Hardwood FloorsTake your shoes off."I am a firm believer in taking my shoes off as soon as I come in the door, because this simple act goes a long way to eliminating virtually all of the tracked-in dirt that can wreak havoc on a wood floor's finish," says Forte. Dirt and grit are abrasive, which can scratch floors over time. Vacuum regularly.Nothing removes dirt and fine debris from the cracks and crevices of a wood floor like a good vacuum cleaner. The best choice is a canister vacuum because it has a long, oval floor brush attached to reach tiny spaces. "If you only have an upright model, be sure to turn off the rotating brush to keep the bristles from scratching your floors," Forte recommends. Clean up spills ASAP.Spills are inevitable, but if you let them dry on the floor they'll dull the finish and attract additional dirt. Blot spills immediately with an absorbent cloth. "The worst thing you can do is let water puddle on the floor," says Forte. Follow up with a damp paper towel to remove any residue and buff dry. What to Clean Hardwood Floors WithSwiffer WetJet Wood Credit: Amazon Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner Spray Now 20% Off Credit: AmazonMicrofiber Wholesale Microfiber Mop Now 11% Off Credit: AmazonArm & Hammer Pure Baking SodaCredit: Amazon For can't-miss news, expert beauty advice, genius home solutions, delicious recipes, and lots more, sign up for the
Good Housekeeping newsletter. SUBSCRIBE NOW Amanda Garrity is a lifestyle writer and editor with over seven years of experience, including five years on staff at Good Housekeeping, where she covered all things home and holiday, including the latest interior design trends, inspiring DIY ideas and gift guides for any (and every) occasion. She also has a soft spot for feel-good TV, so you can catch her writing about popular shows like Virgin River, Sweet Magnolias, Hallmark Channel’s When Calls the Heart and more. How do you clean sealed hardwood floors?Begin by dusting or sweeping your floors well. Then make a cleaning mixture using 4 cups warm water and a few drops of castile soap or dish soap. Do not shake, but gently mix this, then mop or scrub small sections at a time, drying them with a clean cloth or dry mop after."
How do you clean sealed floors?Surface-Sealed Floors
If this is the case for your own floors, your best solution is soap and water. Plain soap is mild enough that it won't dull or scratch your finish like other abrasive cleaners will. Just add a quarter cup of dishwashing soap to a bucket of water and start mopping.
What is the best thing to wash hardwood floors with?You can use a commercial wood-cleaning product, like Bona or Murphy Oil Soap. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions. You can also make your own cleaner by mixing one part vinegar to 10 parts warm water. Add a few drops of liquid Castile soap.
How do you clean polyurethane sealed hardwood floors?Maintenance of your polyurethane-coated hardwood flooring should include regular dust mopping & damp mopping only; do not wet mop. We suggest using only steam mops, or damp mopping using distilled white vinegar, or glass cleaners heavily diluted with water to clean your flooring.
|