About Wood Floor Cleaner
Ask five homeowners about the best product for cleaning a wood floor and you are likely to get at least as many answers. Even home building contractors and wood floor manufacturers can't seem to agree on this important housekeeping issue. One reason is that there are so many different types of wood, each with its own care needs. The second issue facing wood floor owners is the type of finish or sealer that has been put on the floor. Unless you build the home yourself or you are the original owner, this critical information is often not readily available. Does this Spark an idea?
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Floor Types
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Wood floor construction has evolved. In addition to traditional hardwoods like oak, many homes have floors made of exotic woods like teak. Newer homes and renovated ones may have wood laminate floors. Bamboo, cork and other alternative wood floor construction materials are also used widely in homes.
Finishes
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Most wood floors have a polyurethane or shellac coating. These finishes were applied to protect the raw wood from moisture and ground in dirt. Unfortunately, both of these finishes wear out over time. When that happens, the floor becomes dull and more difficult to maintain. Floors in homes that are more than 50-years-old may have been finished with linseed oil or Tung oil. These finishes penetrate the wood and seal it from the inside. Laminate floors are different from plank flooring. It is constructed with layers of wood products that are glued to the walking surface.
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Considerations
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It is recommended to choose a cleaner for your wood floor that doesn't damage the finish. Popular choices fall into three categories. Liquid wood floor cleaner is mixed with water and applied with a damp mop, after the floor has been swept or thoroughly cleaned with a dust mop. Most liquid cleaners are mild enough for any wood floor, except though that have an oil finish. Paste cleaner resembles silver polish. It does double-duty by cleaning surface dirt and adding shine. It works well with any sealed floor. However, it won't improve the sheen of laminate flooring. Solvents and chemicals should be reserved for spot cleaning of unusual spills or ground in dirt, regardless of the floor's finish. Their function is to remove the floor's finish, so that the wood underneath can be cleaned. You will need to reapply the finish to the affected area after using any chemical solvents on a wood floor.
Effects
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The wrong floor cleaner can end up being extremely expensive. Using a cleaner that is too harsh for your wood floor and its finish could result in significant restoration costs. In some cases, you might even have to replace the damaged wood. Always read and follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Warning
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Never use any cleaning product that contains bleach or ammonia on a wood floor. Test any floor cleaner in an inconspicuous spot before using it on your floor. If you have any doubts about the durability of your wood floor's finish, clean it with a damp (not soaking wet) cloth moistened with cool water.
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