Wooden flooring is durable and can be restored multiple times over its lifespan. There are,
however, things that you can do to protect your floor and lengthen the time between
restorations. Regardless of whether you have had a wooden floor for many years or just had
one put it, it is vital to preserve your investment and learn the best way to clean these floors.
Please note: This article is with specific reference to cleaning wooden floors that have a
polyurethane finish. If your floor was installed during roughly the last ten years, you probably
have this type of finish since it is used more frequently in modern flooring. However, it is best to
consult with your flooring specialist.
Cleaning do’s:
- One of the most effortless and favoured methods of cleaning a wooden floor is to use a
broom, dust mop or a vacuum. However, it is essential that when vacuuming, you make
use of a vacuum that was specifically made for cleaning hard surface flooring and that
has sufficient suction to clean both lint as well as dirt. - You can also clean your hard wood floors using a damp mop, but in this case, try to
avoid using excess water. It is recommended to use a microfibre mop over a standard
mop, since it can sufficiently clean the surface of your floor without over saturating the
floor. - In the case of water spills or even too much water being used during cleaning, you can
use a soft towel to wipe it. Avoid leaving water spills to be soaked up into the floor. - When using water to clean a wooden floor, it is best to use distilled water rather than
chlorinated water, tap water or hard water. Undistilled water can contain chemicals and
softeners that can cause blemishes, stains and mineral deposits to build up on your
floor. These unfortunate consequences can be challenging- and in some cases you may
be unable- to remove without a floor restoration. - Avoid using cleaning products unless you really have to. In the case of more intense
cleaning or disinfection, specific hardwood cleaning products can be used. When
choosing these products, it is essential to consult with your floor specialist as floors with
different finishes can require different products. However, when choosing a product,
ensure that it is pH-neutral and specifically made to be used on polyurethane finished
floors.
