How to Clean Bare Hardwood Floors

So you've decided to pull up that wall-to-wall carpet and have just a beautiful hardwood floor beneath your feet. Wood is a natural, beautiful and timeless design and decorating element. Now you have to keep it clean to ensure that it will last a long time. Here are some tips for cleaning a hardwood floor.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Scatter rugs
• Terrycloth mop
• Professional wood cleaner
• Vacuum cleaner

1. Caring for your floor will take some time and common sense. Place area rugs in your entryway to collect dirt. Use mat rugs instead of rubber-backed rugs to catch the dirt before it can get on your floor.

2. Pick up your scatter rugs at least once a week to shake the dirt out of them. If the scatter rugs become worn or tattered, replace them.

3. Purchase a good broom and sweep your floor regularly. This will ensure that you are keeping dirt, dust and other particles from embedding themselves in your floor.

4. Use a vacuum cleaner to get at the dirt between the planks.

5. Use a professional wood-floor-cleaning product that can be purchased at any hardware store (and some discount clubs). Use a terrycloth mop to apply the product and rinse well.

6. A hardwood floor cleaner is useful for removing occasional scuffs or heel marks. Spray some cleaner on a cloth and lightly rub the stained area.

7. Clean sticky spots with a damp towel or sponge. After you have cleaned the area, make sure that it is dry. Do not leave wood floors wet, or even damp.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep your floor clean and sweep it as often as necessary. Do not use abrasive cleaning solutions on your floor, as they will cause the hardwood finish to fade.
• Do not use ammonia cleaners or oil soaps on a wood floor. These products can take away the finish and leave your floors looking dull.
• Do not use excessive amounts of water to clean a wood floor. Excessive water could cause the wood to swell and crack.
• If your floor is the damaged and standard cleaning methods will not resolve the problem, you may have sand and refinish.
• Remember that all hardwood floors will fade, darken or change shades over time. Exposure to sunlight will speed this process greatly. Keep the shades in your rooms pulled down to keep out excessive sunlight.