How to Clean Hardwood Floors

Trends in home design come and go, but if there’s one thing on which designers, realtors and homeowners almost always agree, it’s that hardwood floors never go out of style. But while they’re beautiful, and hold their value, they also require a little know how to keep them gorgeous. 

source: google images

Before we dive into cleaning tips, there are a few things you can do to keep tracked-in dirt to a minimum:

1.     Position rugs/mats both inside and outside exterior doors to lessen the dirt.

2.     In snowy or rainy weather, include a shoe removal area to avoid damage from water and de-icers used outside.

3.     Place floor protectors under furniture and area rugs in large open spaces.

Even if you do all of these things, you’ll still need to clean your hardwood floors on a regular basis, and make time for an occassional deep cleaning to keep your floors in pristine condition.

Basic Care
Dust the floor with a mop that has been treated with a dusting agent to pick up dust, dirt, and pet hair that may scratch the floor surface. For weekly or biweekly cleaning, vacuum with a floor-brush attachment on a vacuum cleaner or an electric broom. Do not use a vacuum with a beater bar attachment it can scratch the floor. For a quicker way to dust you can also use disposable electrostatic cloths available at grocery and discount stores.

Deep Cleaning
Dirt, oil, and grime build up over time and aren't completely removed by a weekly mopping. For deep cleaning, use a wood cleaning product diluted according to the label instructions. Saturate a sponge or rag mop in the water, and then wring it almost dry so it feels only slightly damp to the touch. Rinse with a clean mop using clean water, but only if the cleaning product requires it. Wipe up excess liquid because standing water can damage wood surfaces. If it's humid outside, turn on a ceiling fan or the air conditioner to speed up drying.

Removing Marks

If, even after a deep cleaning, your hardwood floors still have marks, you’ll want to consider one of the following remedies:

Consider your floor's finish before trying to remove a mark. If the stain is on the surface, your floor probably has a hard finish, such as urethane. If the stain has penetrated through to the wood, the floor probably has a soft oiled finish. Wipe surface stains from a hard finish with a soft, clean cloth. Never use sandpaper, steel wool, or harsh chemicals on such a surface because they can permanently damage the finish.

The following remedies are for hardwood floors with soft oiled finishes. If needed, end each treatment by staining the wood, then waxing and buffing the spot to match the rest of the floor.

Dark Spots and Pet Stains: Rub the spot with No. 000 steel wool and floor wax. If the area is still dark, apply bleach or vinegar and allow it to soak into the wood for about an hour. Rinse with a damp cloth.

Heel Marks: Use fine steel wool to rub in floor wax.

Oil-Based Stains: Rub the area with a soft cloth and dishwashing detergent to break down the grease. Rinse with clear water. If one or more applications don't work, repeat the procedure. Keep children and pets out of the room until you're done. Let the spot dry, and then smooth the raised grain with fine sandpaper.

Water Marks or White Stains: Rub the spot with No. 000 steel wool and floor wax. If the stain goes deeper, lightly sand the floor and clean with fine steel wool and odorless mineral spirits.

Even if your home has wall-to-wall hardwood floors, Spectrum Cleaning & Restoration can still serve you! We offer state-of-the-art equipment, reasonable rates and our professional guarantee for all of our services, including furniture and upholstery cleaning, duct cleaning and more. 

Learn more at http://spectrumclean.com

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