How to Clean a Wood Floor

Wood flooring is beautiful and will last a very long time if taken care of properly. Cleaning wood floors is not difficult, but does require a different approach than cleaning tile or other hard surfaces; all wood cleaners are certainly not the same, for instance. Using the wrong cleaner for your kind of wood flooring can lead to very disappointing results. Choosing the right cleaner is a very important step in cleaning wood floors, but is not the only thing you need to know about your wood floors. Unlike tile and other flooring, wood floors will absorb some water. Damp mopping wood is acceptable, but water must be used conservatively.

Things You'll Need

• Wood floor mop or broom
• Wood cleaner appropriate for your kind of flooring
• Clean dust cloths
• Hand vacuum cleaner (optional)

Instructions

How to Clean a Wood Floor

1. Sweep the wood floor with a good broom. If you have difficulty getting dirt from corners or crevices, try using a hand held vacuum cleaner.

2. Place a dry dust cloth on the end of a broom (if you don’t own a wood floor duster/mop) and dust the floor. When the cloth becomes overly soiled, replace with a clean one. Dusting this way first will make the rest of the cleaning much easier.The mops made specifically for wood floors are much easier to use on wood floors than a standard broom or mop. I recommend investing in at least one wood floor mop.

3. Glide a damp -- not wet -- mop (or damp cloth) over the wood floor. Rinse the mop as frequently as necessary. If using wood cleaner in the water, make sure that the cleaner is suitable for your kind of wood flooring. The best way to find out is to call your local home improvement store and ask. Be sure to describe your floor well and tell whether or not it has a waxed finish (if you know) or if it is polyurethane sealed.Many wood cleaners indicate on the bottle whether or not they should be used on wax finished floors or polyurethane (or other) finished floors. Pay special attention to this or you may ruin the finish on your wood and end up with a dull, unattractive floor.

4. Dry and lightly buff the wood floor with a dry soft cloth.

Tips & Warnings

• If you sweep your wood floors often, you won’t have to damp mop as frequently

• Purchase a pair of shoes with non-marking soles for indoor use. This will help prevent scuff marks on your wood floor

• Do not soak a wood floor with water. When mopping, think damp--not soaked

• Do not use scalding hot water on wood floors

• Never use a cleaner on your floor that is intended for wood flooring with a different finish