How to Clean Parkay Floors

Parquet floors are created from strips or blocks of wood that are laid in intricate patterns. Using the wrong type of cleaning instruments or supplies can permanently scar your parquet flooring. Never wash hardwood floors with water, as it can damage the wood.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Terrycloths
• Vinegar
• Dishwashing soap
• Bucket

1. Mix 1 gallon of water, 2 cups of vinegar and 1 cup of mild dish soap in a bucket. Stir the mixture well. If there are excessive suds, add a little more water and vinegar to thin it down a bit.

2. Mop or scrub the floor with the cleaning mixture. Dip a terrycloth or mop in the solution, wring it out, then mop the floor. Never pour the mixture directly on the floor.

3. Go over any heavily-soiled areas a second time. Since you cannot use abrasive cleaning materials on parquet floors, you must use extra pressure and repeated mopping on problem areas. Run the terrycloth or mop over stubborn spots several times with a firm hand to lift the grime.

4. Dry the entire floor with a clean, dry terrycloth. If the cloth gets moist and leaves a smear behind, switch to a fresh, dry cloth. It is extremely important to get all of the soap and vinegar mixture off the floor. Use circular motions to polish the floor as you dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Only use cleaning solutions on finished parquet flooring.

References

• Green Cleaning Parquet Floors