- Hardwood floors can add prestige and value to your home. To maintain that value, you must use the correct cleaning method as well as hardwood cleaner or else you can turn that beautiful luster into a dull disaster. This article will explain how hardwood cleaners work on finished and unfinished woods.
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An understanding of what type of wood and what style of hardwood floor you have can help you properly maintain it. All wood is porous by nature, but some woods are able to absorb and hold moisture and oils better than others. Finished hardwood floors have a water-resistant polyurethane seal on them, while unfinished woods may require more work but provide more beautiful results after cleaning.
Solid wood finishes are thicker but can expand and contract easily when exposed to moisture; engineered woods are uniform in design but must be glued to harder surfaces for stability. Oak and pine wood are very popular types for flooring, but oak is not very porous whereas you can see the pores in pinewood. This is a characteristic that can be critical in choosing what type of hardwood cleaner you use. -
Professional wood floor cleaners work on unfinished hardwood by seeping into the pores and lifting out dirt. These cleaners typically use a form of vegetable oil or linseed oil, which can strengthen the wood and help it repel any further debris. After that, it is recommended to use a watered-down mix of the cleaner or damp mop for maintenance.
For finished woods, pH-neutral cleaners work by dissolving deposits and hard mineral water due to their higher acid base. Proper use will not damage the finish. pH-neutral cleaners can also be used on acrylic wax finishes. High-pH cleaners that use detergents work on hardwood floors by dissolving tougher grease and dirt stains, but can damage the finish over time. - If you have special stains, you may want to use alternative methods to clean your wood floor in those troubled areas. For candle wax or chewing gum removal, use ice on the materials until they become brittle and then apply solvent-based wax to loosen it up. Low grade steel wool can be used on ink stains. Rub the area with wood floor cleaner and allow to dry. Then re-stain, wax and buff the affected area.
