Clean Hardwood Floors
How to clean hardwood floors with a polyurethane finish is a cinch with the right hardwood floor cleaners and accessories. Be mindful of the products you are using to be sure they won't damage your floor. Some can cause a wax or oil build-up that might look great at first, but can chip or peel in the future and/or cause big problems when it is time for a buff and recoat.
1.) First, give the floor a good vacuum, dusting, or sweeping to get up the dust, dirt, crumbs and other particles that scratch the floor.
2.) Then, spot clean with a soft cloth, dampened (not wet) with water, a water and vinegar mixture, or a professional hardwood floor cleaning product. Just take a quick tour of the floor and spray and wipe the obvious sticky crusty smudges, stains and spots.
3.) Next, clean your wood floor using a professional hardwood floor cleaning product. Squirt the cleaner onto an area of the floor in an "S" pattern, avoiding puddles, and mop or wipe. Move on to the next area in a like manner. You can also use a spray bottle with the appropriate cleaning product and spray a section of floor, mop or wipe, and continue to the next section.
NOTE: Cleaning a hardwood floor with water is okay as long as water isn't left standing on the floor for any length of time and the towel, cloth, or mop is not soaking wet - just damp.
One of my favorite hardwood floor mops is made by Bona, as shown below. I also like to keep on hand, and recommend to my customers, the following wood floor cleaning accessories:
Stubborn Stains on Hardwood Floors To clean tough stains such as black heal marks, crayon, tar or lipstick use a non-abrasive waterless hand cleaner. You can also use a cautionary amount of paint thinner (mineral spirits) or a product such as Goof Off. Be sure to wear a mask when using products such as these to avoid toxic fumes. When you're finished, wipe with a slightly damp cloth to remove any oil residue.
Wood Floors and Water A quick, important reminder: You aren't cleaning the wood boards themselves (unless they are damaged and exposed) ... you are cleaning the finish, the coating on top of the boards meant to protect them. But regardless of this protective coating, no matter how thick and durable it is supposed to be, there is no such thing as a water proof wood floor. Water and other liquids can seep into the gaps between boards, especially as they shrink and expand due to moisture in the air, or because the coating is starting to wear or got damaged. So it is very important not to use soaking wet cleaning tools or leave standing water on the floor.
How to clean hardwood floors really comes down to your preference - what works best for you. The key to getting quality results that won't harm your wood floor finish - and will make this task as efficient as possible - are the cleaning products and tools you use.
How to clean hardwood floors with a polyurethane finish is a cinch with the right hardwood floor cleaners and accessories. Be mindful of the products you are using to be sure they won't damage your floor. Some can cause a wax or oil build-up that might look great at first, but can chip or peel in the future and/or cause big problems when it is time for a buff and recoat.
1.) First, give the floor a good vacuum, dusting, or sweeping to get up the dust, dirt, crumbs and other particles that scratch the floor.
2.) Then, spot clean with a soft cloth, dampened (not wet) with water, a water and vinegar mixture, or a professional hardwood floor cleaning product. Just take a quick tour of the floor and spray and wipe the obvious sticky crusty smudges, stains and spots.
3.) Next, clean your wood floor using a professional hardwood floor cleaning product. Squirt the cleaner onto an area of the floor in an "S" pattern, avoiding puddles, and mop or wipe. Move on to the next area in a like manner. You can also use a spray bottle with the appropriate cleaning product and spray a section of floor, mop or wipe, and continue to the next section.
NOTE: Cleaning a hardwood floor with water is okay as long as water isn't left standing on the floor for any length of time and the towel, cloth, or mop is not soaking wet - just damp.
One of my favorite hardwood floor mops is made by Bona, as shown below. I also like to keep on hand, and recommend to my customers, the following wood floor cleaning accessories:
Stubborn Stains on Hardwood Floors To clean tough stains such as black heal marks, crayon, tar or lipstick use a non-abrasive waterless hand cleaner. You can also use a cautionary amount of paint thinner (mineral spirits) or a product such as Goof Off. Be sure to wear a mask when using products such as these to avoid toxic fumes. When you're finished, wipe with a slightly damp cloth to remove any oil residue.
Wood Floors and Water A quick, important reminder: You aren't cleaning the wood boards themselves (unless they are damaged and exposed) ... you are cleaning the finish, the coating on top of the boards meant to protect them. But regardless of this protective coating, no matter how thick and durable it is supposed to be, there is no such thing as a water proof wood floor. Water and other liquids can seep into the gaps between boards, especially as they shrink and expand due to moisture in the air, or because the coating is starting to wear or got damaged. So it is very important not to use soaking wet cleaning tools or leave standing water on the floor.
How to clean hardwood floors really comes down to your preference - what works best for you. The key to getting quality results that won't harm your wood floor finish - and will make this task as efficient as possible - are the cleaning products and tools you use.
