Do you know how to clean a hardwood floor? We do. So we hope these tips will come in handy. Part one of a three part series explores some general tips.
- Clean Your Hardwood Floor | 210) 637-5050
Hardwood Floor Cleaning: What You Shouldn't Do
When you want to clean your hardwood floor, it's important to know what to do as well as what not to do. First off, use caution when picking store-bought products. A great many of them have oil or wax in them. While waxing and applying an oil to a hardwood floor may sound like a good idea, you have to know that over time, these products leave a lot of residue on your floor that will get gummy and attract dirt. After a while your floor will start to appear dingy and worn out. If you're like most people, you think the solution is more polish. It isn't. In addition, there are some floors such as teak that already have a high oil content. If you add a product that is oil or wax-based, it will not only make your floor dingy, it will also likely make it permanently slippery too.
On the flip side of this, be sure to read the ingredients. If there is anything acidic or harsh chemicals in the mix, don't use it to clean your hardwood floor. For example, we once had a client who used a product from a store that actually contained bleach that was supposedly "safe" for any surface, including hardwood floors. Suffice it to say the label was wrong. The bleach not only stripped away the polyurethane coating, it did what bleach often does, it well, bleached his floor. What was a $2,500 floor was now a bunch of driftwood. So to sum up, what you shouldn't do includes anything with harsh chemicals or anything wax and oil based. Another thing to add to the "Do Not List" is don't wet mop your floor.
How You Should Clean Your Hardwood Floor
How you should clean your hardwood floor is actually easier than you might think. First off, place throw rugs at each entryway into a room with hardwood flooring. These rugs will help to capture dirt, and most importantly, fine grit that can scratch your hardwood floor. Any boots or shoes that could scratch up your floor should be removed. Usually flats, or sneakers are fine, however, with sneakers they can leave scuff marks, so be careful even with them.
Sweep your hardwood floor at least once a week with a soft dustmop or a simple straw broom. Sweep outwards out of the room and ultimately into a dustpan or outdoors. You can also clean your hardwood floor with a little bit of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle, and a non lint cloth.
So remember, taking care of your floor is always a good idea. So know what to do AND what not to do. That way you will always be able to maintain and clean your hardwood floor between visits.
For more information on hardwood floor cleaning and refinishing, be sure to read part two and part three as well.
Lone Star Tile and Grout Cleaning
4019 Stahl Rd, Suite 202
San Antonio TX 78217
(210) 637-5050
http://www.lonestartileandgroutcleaning.com
4019 Stahl Rd, Suite 202
San Antonio TX 78217
(210) 637-5050
http://www.lonestartileandgroutcleaning.com
