How to Clean Wood Floors

How to Clean Wood Floors

How to Clean Wood Floors - Maintaining a Wax Finish

Wood floors are becoming more popular as people are starting to focus on a healthy home. Wood floors that are cared for properly should never have to be replaced. Most nicks and scratches can be fixed by replacing the finish on the wood, and spills can be cleaned easily with very little worry of staining. Keep reading to find out how to care for your wood floors properly.

Cleaning wood floors in this situation is pretty easy. Use a hardwood cleaner, a steam mop, or a barely wet mop for weekly or biweekly cleaning. Daily cleaning on any of these floors is easily done with a vacuum, broom, etc.

How to Clean Wood Floors - To clean hardwood or laminated floors mix ½ cup distilled white vinegar in a gallon of water. Dampen a towel in the mixture and wring out all the excess moisture. Use the towel as your mop. No need to rinse. Dry the floor if necessary.

Wax finishes soak into the pores of the wood and harden to form a protective penetrating seal. The wax gives a low-gloss satin sheen.

How to Clean Wood Floors - Mopping: Urethane finishes provide wood floors some protection against water. Mop wood floors weekly or monthly depending on how much use they get, using a mild soap designed for cleaning wood floors. Wash with a mop that’s only slightly damp, and allow floors to dry. Buffing with a soft cloth will help floors dry more completely and leave them looking shiny and clean.

How to Clean Wood Floors - Mix 1 quart of Maintenance Cleaner to 1 gallon of water. Soak several large bath towels in the solution. Wring them out until damp. Wrap a damp towel around the head of a push broom and push across the floor. Clean the entire floor, using a clean damp towel as needed. Never rinse dirty towels in clean solution. Dirty towels may be laundered and reused.

How to Clean Wood Floors - Dust mop or vacuum regularly. Buff to restore shine. Waxing may be necessary when buffing no longer restores shine. Apply a cleaner and liquid wax specifically for wood floors. Apply the wax evenly, allow the floor to dry and buff to the desired luster. If the wood floor has dirt build up or the wax is discolored, use a combination liquid cleaner/wax made specifically for wood flooring. Make sure it is solvent rather than water base. Spread the liquid cleaner/wax with a cloth or fine steel wool and rub gently to remove grime and old wax. Wipe the floor clean, let it dry for about 20 minutes and buff. Depending on the traffic, a properly maintained wood floor should only need waxing once, or twice a year. Be sure to follow manufacturer’s directions carefully.

How to Clean Wood Floors - Deeper Cleaning - Most hardwood floors these days are sealed with polyurethane.  Dirt, oil and grime build up over time and aren’t entirely removed by a weekly dusting.  For occasional thorough cleaning, such as in the spring or before the winter holidays, use a solution of 1/4 cup white vinegar and 1 quart warm water.  Saturate a sponge or rag mop in the solution, then wring it almost dry so it feels only slightly damp to the touch.  Mop, being careful not to allow water to stand on the floor. Standing water on sealed hardwood can seep into cracks and under baseboards causing wood to expand and contract.

Use a matching color of furniture polish or brown wax to fill in chinks or scratches that have erupted in the wood. Use a minute amount, and use a small sponge or cloth to blend the color into the surrounding area. This will not repair wood damage, but it will help conceal it until the next sanding or refinishing job.

Well this article has covered some simple ways on how to clean wood floors to help you with your question to how to clean wood floors.

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