What Is a Good Vacuum Cleaner for Hardwood Floors?

Hardwood floors enhance the value and appearance of a home or commercial space. Caring for hardwood floors is easy, and proper care increases the life of the floor. Canister vacuums can reduce damage to the finish of the flooring and keep its appearance looking the same way as the day it was installed.

Types of hardwood flooring

Unfinished wood flooring does not have the sanding, buffing, stained or coating steps completed. This flooring is ideal for installation in buildings or homes still under construction and gives the new owner options for choosing a finish as well as not compromising the finish with construction materials.

Prefinished wood flooring is already sanded and finished, ready for installation. It is the most popular style of flooring on the market.

Solid wood flooring is made from one type of lumber; this flooring is harder to install, remove and refinish.

Engineered wood flooring is created from layers of veneer wood rather than a solid piece. The process benefits from characteristics of different types of wood for a more resistant finish.

Acrylic impregnated wood flooring is prefinished wood flooring that has been impregnated with color and pigment via a high-pressure treatment. This flooring is more durable and withstands humidity.

Vacuum option

Vacuums without rotating brushes are the least damaging to wood floors. Although upright vacuums are available with models that disengage the rotating brush, canisters are an appropriate choice for cleaning hardwood floors because of their smaller size and mobility.

Features

Canisters consist of a small canister body with rolling wheels and a stretch, flexible hose and wand with a floor cleaning tool. For bare floors, canisters come standard with a bare floor tool, or you can purchase an additional tool for use on hard surfaces like hardwood floors and tile. This attachment does not have a rotating brush, which can nick and dent hardwood floors.

Considerations

Canisters can clean in tighter spaces, reducing the need to move furniture around.
Moving any furniture or appliances on hardwood floors increases the risk of damage to the finish. It is recommended that felt tabs be placed on the bottoms of the furniture legs to reduce scuffing when furniture has to be moved. Dirt and sand can scratch the surface of hardwood floors. Heels and animal claws can dent hardwood floors.

Warning

According to the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies, 60 million Americans have allergies. Exposure to allergens can cause asthma in children. Hardwood floors trap fewer allergen triggers like dust mites, pollen, mold and animal dander. Canister models that utilize a bagless container allow allergens in the air when emptied. Models utilizing a bag reduce this risk.

References

• How To Clean A Hardwood Floor
• Main Types of Hardwood Floors
• Hardwood Floors and Allergies