Nobody can deny the striking looks that hardwood floors provide. Not to mention, they can endure years of wear and outlive most other household features.
However, ensuring the longevity of hardwood floors requires some work on the owner’s behalf. This involves weekly vacuuming and sweeping – but also an occasional deep cleaning.
Beyond extending your floor’s lifespan, deep cleaning your hardwood floors will reduce the need for regular refinishing. It will also keep your hardwood looking nice and polished.
Thus, today we’re going to discuss five must-have tips to deep clean hardwood floors. Once you’ve implemented these tips into your routine, you can feel confident your hardwood floors will stay beautiful for decades to come!
1. Vacuum Any Loose Debris
Prior to any mopping, scrubbing, or polishing, you should use a vacuum to remove dust, dirt, pet hair, and other debris. Otherwise, you risk pushing this debris further into the cracks of the hardwood.
Be sure to use a vacuum that is safe for hardwood floor care. Many modern vacuums have a “hard surface” option. This will raise the brush roll to avoid scratching the surface of the hardwood.
When using the “hard surface” setting, the brushes will stop spinning, and your vacuum will only use suction. If you haven’t purchased a vacuum yet, be sure to get one with rubber wheels. This will further reduce the likelihood of scratching the hardwood.
2. Determine the Finish of Your Hardwood
The method and products you use to clean your hardwood will depend on its finish. If you have a surface finish (e.g., water-based urethane, oil-based urethane, or polyurethane), you can take a more liberal approach when cleaning your hardwood. This is because liquids are much less likely to penetrate the surface.
On the other hand, penetrating finishes (e.g., tung oil, linseed oil, wax, and wood stain) are absorbable and should be cleaned with caution. However, most homes built after the 1920s have a surface finish, so this shouldn’t be a concern if you have a modern home.
Regardless of the finish of your hardwood, you should avoid using too much water. Always keep your mop damp and never pour large amounts of water directly onto the surface of your hardwood.
3. Clean With a Microfiber Mop
The next thing you should do is clean your hardwood floors using a microfiber mop. Microfiber mops are more effective than traditional mops as they do a better job of picking up dirt and grime.
You can use water mixed with a wood cleaner or a hardwood floor spray formula. It’s essential to check with your floor’s manufacturer to see what products are most effective for your hardwood.
Regardless of the products you choose to use, be sure to always mop in the direction of the grain of the wood.
4. Use a Floor Polish
Floor polish does a great job of restoring the shine of your hardwood. They can also take care of minor scratches and protect against future wear.
If your hardwood floors have been neglected for some time, you should use floor wax. The most effective way to apply floor wax is by getting on your hands and knees and wiping each area with a microfiber cloth. This will provide the deepest clean and leave a beautiful satin finish.
5. Get Rid of Scratches
Children, pets, and furniture are the biggest culprits of scratches. Consequently, scratches are inevitable for most people. Thus, it’s essential to know how to get rid of them.
Fortunately, removing scratches is a straightforward task. Some scratches will disappear when polishing your floors. More significant scratches can be taken care of with a liquid scratch concealer.
Five Simple Tips to Deep Clean Hardwood Floors
Beyond their unrivaled durability, hardwood floors make for one of the most beautiful features of a home. However, it’s vital to keep them in tip-top shape to ensure their longevity.
Fortunately, learning how to deep clean hardwood floors is easy with these five simple tips! Just be sure to clean them on a weekly basis and give them an occasional deep cleaning.
If you found these hardwood floor care tips helpful, be sure to check out our other home improvement articles!