Tips On Cleaning Hardwood Floors
This article presents tips on>cleaning hardwood floors. Caring for floors made from wood is easy and with the proper care and maintenance, you may continue to enjoy its natural beauty. First of all, it is advisable to clean water spills right away because water is one of the worst enemies of wood floors. And whether you are cleaning solid hardwood or engineered hardwood flooring the strategies are basically the same because the thin top layer of engineered flooring is made from real hardwood. The basic tool for cleaning hardwood floors is a terrycloth mop that is equipped with rotating head.
When removing tough spills and stains, it is advisable to spray a cleaning product that is specially formulated for wood floors. However, you may also use a mixture of white vinegar and warm water. The correct proportion is a gallon of water to a half cup of white vinegar. You can apply the solution using a mop while focusing on those areas that seem to be dirty. However, avoid soaking the floor with water by putting too much on the mop. You may also need to dry the area with a dry towel or mop.
However, if there is too much wear, cleaning hardwood floors may no longer be sufficient. Sanding hardwood floors may be necessary. Refinishing hardwood floor will be the next step after sanding to ensure that the luster and shine will return. However, sanding and refinishing should only be done if screening and recoating with urethane are not able to return the hardwood floor to its former glory. If the damage is confined to a small area, it may be advisable to simply replace the planks in that area instead of repairing the whole area.
Meanwhile, if some members of your household have allergies, it is important to know how to steam clean hardwood floors to remove allergens. A portable steam cleaner that is specifically designed for hardwood floors is recommended. This will deodorize and sanitize the surfaces without the use of detergents and other chemicals that may cause allergic reactions. The steam cleaner will be able to kill dust mites, remove grease, mold, mildew and dirt. You may also use this steam cleaner on beddings, bathrooms, fabrics, carpets, mirrors, linoleum, windows, ovens, grills, and tiles. However, before you start steam cleaning, you should take care to sweep away dust and grit. And if there are worn spots on the floor where the seal has been broken, using the steam cleaner on these spots is not recommended.
After cleaning hardwood floors it is also important to protect the finish of the floors to minimize damage to the surfaces. Exposure to sunlight should be avoided as this could cause the wood to darken or fade. You can rotate area rugs to ensure equal exposure of the various areas. It is also prudent to trim the nails of your pets and to avoid using stiletto heels as these could cause dents on the floor surface. Also, protectors can be used on the legs of tables and other furniture to prevent them from scratching the floor.
