When you have beautiful hardwood floors, you want to keep them clean. The good news is that, despite popular belief, cleaning hardwood floors is not hard, and you likely have all the supplies you need in your home. The key is understanding the right way to clean them so they stay shiny and glossy for as long as possible.
The first step in cleaning hardwood floors is to understand which supplies you need. While there are many commercial wood floor cleaners available, Sokolowski suggests skipping the expensive store-bought options and preparing your own cleaning solution made of dish soap (like Dawn) and water.
She also cautions against using vinegar, which can damage and discolor hardwood flooring, even if it’s unfinished or waxed. If you’re unsure if a natural how to clean hardwood floors like a professional cleaner is safe, always test it in an inconspicuous spot.
For regular maintenance, sweeping daily and vacuuming weekly will remove loose dirt, dust and debris that can scratch the surface. For a deeper clean, mop your hardwood floors once or twice per week in high traffic areas and biweekly in less-busy areas.
Once you’ve swept or dusted your floors, apply a wood floor wax, formulated specifically for your finish type, to keep the surface shiny. When applying the wax, rub it into 2-foot sections at a time with a soft cloth to avoid over-applying and scratching the surface. Then, sweep away any excess with a dry cloth.
To prevent unsightly scratches, place felt pads under the legs of furniture pieces, and avoid dragging heavy furniture or objects across your hardwood floors. It’s also important to wear shoes with good traction, and to avoid stilettos or cleats that can cause damage to your wood floors.
If you do notice a scratch, you can use mineral spirits to strip away the dirt and grime that has collected under the scratch. Follow the directions on the product label and be sure to wear rubber gloves for safety. If the stain is deep, you can sand the area with fine steel wool and odorless mineral spirits to remove it.
When it comes to preventing the most common wood floor stains, you can usually remove them with the same method you would for any other type of scuff marks: rub the affected area with No. 000 steel wool and a small amount of floor wax. This should lift and remove the mark, but be careful not to go too far or you might risk removing the stain altogether.
For more serious stains, such as pet urine or water spills, use a mild cleaning solution and rub it into the affected area with a soft cloth. For more stubborn stains, you can use a mild soap (like AspenClean unscented or distilled white vinegar) and scrub the area with a soft brush or sponge. Be sure to rinse and dry the cleaned area promptly, as moisture can discolor and swell hardwood. To make the job easier, you can also purchase a floor-scrubbing pad that attaches to your vacuum.