Why Clean Hardwood Floors Regularly?
Hardwood floors add beauty and value to your home. However, they require regular cleaning to maintain their appearance and longevity. Here are some key reasons why cleaning hardwood floors regularly is important:
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Removes Dirt and Grime: Dust, dirt, and grime accumulate on hardwood floors over time. Regular cleaning removes these particles that can otherwise scratch and dull the floor’s surface.
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Prevents Buildup: Allowing spills, dirt, and debris to build up leaves a dull, dirty film on the floors that requires extensive cleaning later. Frequent light cleaning prevents buildup.
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Extends Lifespan: Gritty dirt particles act like sandpaper on hardwood floors, slowly eroding the finish. Regular cleaning prevents premature wear and extends the floor’s lifespan.
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Enhances Shine: Hardwood floors lose their luster over time without regular care. Frequent dusting and cleaning restores the beautiful, like-new shine.
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Improves Indoor Air Quality: Dust and allergens on floors get stirred up into the air. Regular cleaning traps and removes these irritants, improving indoor air quality.
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Protects Finish: Cleaning products like oil soap and wood cleaner form a protective film that shields against spills, scuffs, and scratches.
So in summary, cleaning hardwood floors regularly maintains their appearance, extends their lifespan, and protects your investment.
What Supplies Do I Need?
Cleaning hardwood floors does not require an arsenal of specialized equipment. Here are the basic supplies you need:
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Broom or dust mop: For quick daily dust and dirt removal. Look for ones with microfiber or electrostatic heads that attract and hold dust better.
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Soft bristled broom: For gently sweeping floors without scratching. Get brooms with angled bristles to reach into corners.
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Mop: Choose a mop with a swivel head and extendable lightweight handle for easy maneuverability.
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Mop pads: Microfiber or terry cloth mop pads lift up dirt without excessive moisture.
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Floor cleaner: Select a reputable brand of hardwood floor cleaner formulated for the finish on your floors.
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Protective pads: Felt pads under furniture legs prevent scuffs and scratches.
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Door mats: Place coarse coir mats outside and wipe-off mats inside doors to trap dirt and moisture.
Avoid vacuums with beater bars and abrasive scrub brushes that can damage floors. With these basic cleaning tools and supplies, you can easily maintain beautiful hardwood floors.
Cleaning Methods and Frequency
Here are the recommended methods and frequency for cleaning hardwood floors:
Daily Cleaning
- Quick dust mop: Every day, do a quick once-over with a dust mop or soft broom to remove surface dust and dirt. This takes just a couple minutes but prevents buildup.
Weekly Cleaning
- Thorough sweep and mop: Once a week, thoroughly sweep then mop using a hardwood floor cleaner. The mopping loosens stuck-on grime and restores shine. Pay attention to high traffic areas.
Monthly Cleaning
- Detail clean: Do a hands and knees inspection monthly and clean spots that accumulate grime like near seating areas and entryways. Use a wood cleaner and microfiber cloth.
Seasonal Deep Cleaning
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Intensive clean: Twice a year do a comprehensive cleaning. Sweep then mop thoroughly with wood cleaner. Remove all furniture and clean under and behind it.
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Reseal: Follow up deep cleaning by resealing floors if needed to protect the wood finish.
Adjust cleaning frequency depending on traffic, kids, and pets. For high traffic areas, daily dust mopping and twice weekly mopping helps maintain clean floors.
Cleaning Tips and Precautions
Follow these tips when cleaning hardwood floors to avoid damage:
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Always vacuum or sweep floors first before mopping to remove gritty dirt.
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Use only cleaning products specially formulated for hardwood floors. All-purpose cleaners can dull or damage the finish.
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Wring out mops thoroughly before applying to floor. Excess moisture can warp or discolor wood.
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Never wet or damp mop engineered hardwood floors, always dry mop. Moisture can damage subfloor.
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Apply cleaners lightly and wipe away promptly. Don’t let excess cleaner sit on floors.
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Don’t use wax, oil soap, or furniture polish products as they build up over time. Use polyurethane floor cleaner instead.
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Work in sections and overlap swaths slightly to prevent streaks from drying cleaner.
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Take care with steam mops. Use at lowest setting if suitable for your floors or avoid entirely.
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Place walk-off mats at entrances and area rugs in high traffic areas to limit wear.
With the proper techniques and precautions, you can safely clean hardwood floors yourself and maintain their beauty for years.
When to Call a Professional
While regular DIY cleaning can keep floors looking great, periodic professional services help rejuvenate wood floors experiencing excessive wear and tear. Consider calling a professional hardwood flooring service for:
Refinishing
If floors develop divots, cupping, cracks, or loose boards, they likely need refinishing. Professionals will screen and refinish floors down to bare wood for a like-new appearance.
Color Restoration
Floors with extensive pet stains, sun bleaching, or that have simply weathered over time often need professional resurfacing and recoloring.
Deep Cleaning
For grimy buildup ground into the grain, professionals use rotary buffing machines to deep clean floors without damage.
Finish Application
Applying a fresh coat of protective polyurethane finish or resealing floors is best left to professionals to ensure an even, long-lasting finish.
Significant Damage Repair
Major cracks, gouges, and water damage require skilled work to repair and replace boards. Leaving damage unaddressed can undermine the floor’s structure.
While regular cleaning provides day-to-day care, professionals periodically revitalize tired hardwood floors. Their experience and equipment can restore badly worn floors beyond what’s possible with DIY methods.
So, protect your investment and enjoy beautiful hardwood floors for years to come with a simple routine of regular dusting and cleaning. Call on professionals periodically for deeper refinishing and repairs when needed. With proper care, you can enjoy durable, lustrous hardwood floors adding character to your home.
