The Best Method for Cleaning & Maintaining Hardwood Floors

Clean and maintain your hardwood floors with ease.

Hardwood floors are expensive and will last for a lifetime, but you must properly clean and maintain the hardwood to keep up its appearance. When you clean the floors, you need to figure out the products that will clean the wood without scratching or dulling the hardwood appearance. To maintain the hardwood floors, you need to incorporate a few techniques that will prevent scratching of the wood.

Things You'll Need

• Dust mop
• Cleaning mop
• Water
• Vinegar
• Rubber or felt grips
• Area rugs
• Floor mats

Instructions

1. Rub a dust mop over your hardwood floors every three days or so to lift and collect loose dust. Shake the dust mop off outdoors after cleaning to release the collected debris.

2. Mix one part vinegar and two parts water in a bucket for a more deep cleaning and disinfecting.

3. Dip your basic cleaning mop into the bucket, and wring the mop out over the bucket. You want to work with a damp mop, not a soaked mop.

4. Start at one end of the room, and wipe the damp mop over the flooring. Dip the mop back into the bucket after cleaning approximately four square feet of flooring.

5. Place rubber or felt grips onto the bottom of all chairs and furniture, as this prevents the furniture from scratching, denting or scraping the hardwood flooring.

6. Place area rugs in seating areas and dining areas, as this collects spills and dropped crumbs.

7. Sit floor mats at entrances to your home and rooms with hardwood flooring. These mats collect debris that is on the bottom of shoes, which prevents the residue from being tracked across your hardwood floors. Shake off the rugs outdoors every week or so to release the collected debris.

References

• Vinegar Tips: Cleaning