Hardwood Floor Cleaner
Hardwood floors are an investment and, if cared for properly, can last a lifetime. Keep in mind that hardwood floors are not impervious to spills, water, food and dirt and should be cleaned periodically to maintain its elegant look and feel. This page includes tips for maintaining and cleaning your hard wood floors.
Everyday Hard Wood Floor Care Should Include:
- Protective pads placed on all furniture legs to protect against scratches and permanent dents
- Place area rugs in high volume traffic areas such as the entry and hallways
- Make sure to keep all rugs dry and clean underneath them often
- Look for hardwood floor care and maintenance tips from the manufacturer, including vacuuming, sweeping and dusting to remove surface dirt and dust
- Dust the hardwood floors before an event or dinner party that creates high traffic so any surface dust and dirt doesn’t get ground into the wood flooring
- When cleaning or mopping the floors, be sure to use a pad and hardwood floor cleaner designed specifically for your type of hardwood floors
- Always use a clean pad when cleaning hard wood floors
- Only use hard wood floor cleaners, not any other type of floor cleaner
Hard Wood Floor Cleaning “Don’ts” Include:
- Do not use ammonia
- Do not use a dirty rag
- Do not use dust cleaners
- Do not use ANY other floor cleaning products other than those specially formulated for harwood floor cleaning
How to Clean Hardwood Floors:
When it comes to cleaning hard wood floors, there are three simple steps that should always be followed:
1. Vacuum first to remove surface dirt and dust
2. Spray on the appropriate hardwood floor cleaner
3. Clean the floors using a mop/pad designed for your type of hardwood floor
Always follow the manufacturers’ recommendations. If you are in doubt, please visit our showroom or contact us and we can provide you with more information.
How to Clean a Specific Hardwood Floor Type
Because hardwood flooring comes in a variety of types and finishes, it is important to use the proper cleaners and methods designed for your floor. Following are some cleaning tips for hardwood floors with acrylic-impregnated, surface and wax finishes:
Acrylic-Impregnated:
- Low speed buffing with an acrylic hard wood floor cleaner is recommended
- Lighter shades of flooring require special cleaning procedures; for instance, do not use water or petroleum based products
- Be sure to check with the manufacturer as to whether your floor has a urethane coating
- Light sanding (screening) may be required on some acrylic-impregnated floors
Surface Finish:
- Follow the proper cleaning instructions outlined by your manufacturer; if you are unsure, you can use a generic hardwood floor cleaner on surface finished flooring
- Do not use oils soap or wax-based cleaners
- If the surface finish starts looking dull, professional light screening and recoating may be required
Wax Finish:
- Make sure to wipe up spills immediately with a soft dry cloth
- Water spots can be rubbed out with fine steel wood and mineral spirits
- Light buffing and re-waxing may be required after a length of time to restore brightness and shine
- Hardwood floor cleaners and conditioners can be used on wax-finished
If you are considering installing hardwood floors, or if you already have hardwood flooring and are concerned about proper maintenance and care, please visit our storeroom or contact us today. We will be happy to provide you with the best cleaning methods and products available.
