What Is an Eco Friendly Way to Clean Wood Floors?

Green cleaning is easy when it comes to wood floors

Our ancestors used wood floors for a reason -- they are beautiful, durable, and best of all, easy to clean. And the best part? You can clean wood floors without hurting the environment.

Sweeping

Cleaning your wood floors begins with sweeping. Use a high-quality broom, and you use nothing but elbow grease -- no electricity. Sweep your floors daily to prevent dirt from scratching and dulling your floor's surface.

Damp Mop

Wood floors can be damaged by overwetting them with water and harsh chemicals. Use a good quality microfiber mop, or a microfiber cloth wrapped around an electrostatic dusting mop, dampen slightly, and mop up any spills or dirt as soon as you see them. For all-over mopping, use the same procedure, replacing the mop head or microfiber cloth when it becomes soiled.

Heavy-Duty Cleaning

For sticky messes or heavily soiled floors, it may be impossible to use just elbow grease for cleaning. Use a water-based cleanser recommended for your floor by the manufacturer or installer. Ask for a cleaner that is as environmentally friendly as possible.

References

• World Floor Covering Association: How to Clean a Hardwood Floor

Resources

• Wood Floor Cleaning