How to Effectively Clean Hardwood Floors

Hardwood Floors Enhance Any Decor

In theory, hardwood floors are the easiest of flooring types to clean - but there's lots of controversy over which methods and products are the best, and which are just overpriced snake oil. Clean and well maintained hardwood floors add beauty and a feeling of spaciousness, which is probably why so many are searching for The Best Way to Clean them.

Here's a few tips that can have you seeing your reflection in no time in your newly cleaned hardwood floors:

Instructions

1. For a well finished floor (meaning 3-4 coats of polyurethane or water based finishes), a product like Kleenco's Old Time Wood Wash will work wonders. It's economical, low pH formulated, and works well on Swedish finish or high pressure laminate wood such as Armstrong, Pergo and Wilsonart. Using this will prevent the dull film, but remove grit and grime.

   If you have solid hardwood with a urethane finish, using products like Murphys Oil Soap or Orange Glo can create a cloudy residue. To remove the residue, clean with a 1/2 vinegar, 1/2 water solution and a damp sponge -- Not overly wet. THEN dry with clean towels. Windex has been known to reduce the cloudy film as a 3rd part to this step... but you may have to do it every time you use water/vinegar.

2. 

   Simple Green is an eco-friendly cleaner that I've used for years for everything inside and out of my home, including wood floors. If you are using the original formula, use a 1:30 solution ratio for every day cleaning. Spray in sections and wipe with a sponge mop. To retain the luster,dry immediately with a dry cloth or towel (just "swirl" with your foot!). Simple Green also now has a Naturals Floor Care that you can use for several different types of flooring including finished wood.

3. For wood floors that have been newly "found"... as in under carpet, etc. you'll need to figure out if they were previously finished. Drops of water that remain "on top" are a sound finish, water that is absorbed into the wood is an unsound finish and cleaning with any water-based products will further damage.

Tips & Warnings

• Got scratches that won't come out? Try using an artist brush and floor finish to fill them in, before calling out a contractor to re-sand.

• Know what type of floor / finish you have BEFORE buying cleaning products!

Resources

• Armstrong.com
• SimpleGreen.com
• KleenCo.com