How To Clean Hardwood Floors
Each type of floor material has its own set of rules and tricks for keeping it clean. Carpets benefits from being shampooed, rugs sometimes need to be cleaned or treated, and wood floors need to be conditioned.
Some may agree that a hardwood floor is sometimes a little tougher to keep clean, but there are a few easy ways to keep it shiny and looking like new for years to come.
Remove Dust And Dirt
The first tip to keeping any wood floor looking new is to always keep it clean. The best way to do this is to use a hardwood floors vacuum instead of a broom and dust pan.
Some may find that they only need to vacuum once per week, but others may find that it has to be done every day, or at least every other day in order to keep it clean.
A few factors in determining how often it needs to be vacuumed are whether there are pets or children in the home, as well as whether shoes are worn across the floors.
Recondition The Floor
Reconditioning the floors can sound like a major chore, but it is typically very easy, and will add years to the life of the hardwood if done properly on a regular basis.
The first step to doing this is to use a vacuum for hardwood floors to sweep the area as any debris that is left behind can leave scratches while buffing the wood.
Once the area is clean and free from debris, the next step is to apply the conditioning solution. The solution is typically a spray, but may also come in a wax form. If it comes as a wax, apply it with a soft cloth.
It is best to apply the solution in small sections and gently work it in according to the directions. The reason for this is that small areas are easier to focus on, and it ensures no areas are left untreated.
Most products will recommend leaving it to dry or soak in for a period of time. Once this time has passed, it should be buffed or wiped up with a soft cloth according to the directions.
The final step in reconditioning is to go over the area with a wood floor vacuum one last time to pick up any residue or debris that may have been stirred up during buffing.
Make Regular Cleaning A Habit
After the floor has been cleaned and conditioned it is important to keep it that way. The best way to do this is to get in the habit of vacuuming and conditioning it on a regular basis.
For most households, vacuuming once per week is enough, but some may find they need to do so more frequently if they have a lot of foot and paw traffic in their home.
The reconditioning should be done at least every few months, though some may find that using their hardwood floors vacuum to mop or clean reduces how often they need to recondition it.
