If you want your hardwood floors to shine, regular cleanings are required - but knowing how best to approach this task may prove challenging. Here is some guidance on how to achieve successful and safe floor maintenance.
Dusting is key to keeping the beauty and luster of your floors, and there are various methods you can use to do it. A soft-bristle broom is best at picking up fine dirt and debris; vacuum cleaners can help get into hard-to-reach places to remove dust more efficiently.
Always vacuum on a regular basis, especially in high traffic areas or with pets. A canister vacuum with an attachment that reaches into tiny crevices is best as its floor brush attachment allows access to crevices and corners more effectively than regular handheld models.
Mopping is another essential step in maintaining beautiful floors. For optimal results, aim to mop high traffic areas twice each week while those less affected should do it every other week.
Stains on wood don't pose as great an obstacle as may first appear, according to Sokolowski. Fresh stains can often be easily wiped away with damp cloth and paper towel."
Do not use harsh or chemical cleaners on your floors as this could damage them; rather, choose one recommended by your floor finisher.
If your floors are unfinished, use a mild cleaner like liquid soap and water or Murphy Oil Soap (without oil as this could stain the floors) followed by using a microfiber mop to scrub gently across them.
Avoid vinegar, which may damage many hardwood finishes. Furthermore, waxes or furniture sprays that leave residue can leave dulling effects that dull and dry out finishes over time.
