Should You Mop Wood Floors With Hot Water?
Wood floors have many advantages over other types of flooring. They're durable, lasting 30 years or more, and add beauty to any decor. Unlike carpets, wood floors resist dirt buildup and stains, and they are warmer than tile. Wood floors are porous, though, and require some special care to keep them looking their best. Treat wood floors with the same attention you'd give wood furniture and avoid dirt and harsh sunlight to keep them looking their best. Hot water may cause more damage than tepid water, but your best bet is to avoid water altogether. Does this Spark an idea?
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General Guidelines
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Look at a piece of driftwood and you'll get an idea of what water does to wood. Although most wood floors have a durable polyurethane finish, frequent exposure to water can break down the finish, leaving white spots on the floor, or possible rotting or warping the wood. You can use a cloth dampened with hot water to clean up stains, but never pour water directly on the floor to clean it.
General Cleaning
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Sweep wood floors with a dust mop or broom frequently to remove dirt, sand and grime that can scratch the surface. Use the nozzle attachment of your vacuum to remove debris caught between crevices and around the baseboards. Dampen a cloth with clean water to wipe up minor soiled areas and spills, but wring the cloth out thoroughly so the water dries almost immediately. The hot water from steam cleaners won't damage wood floors, as long as the steam evaporates immediately and the floor's finish is intact. Check the manufacturer's directions to ensure that the steam cleaner is safe for use on wood floors.
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Mopping Wood Floors
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Mop wood floors only when they become so soiled that touch up cleanings won't suffice -- typically once every week or so -- depending on the activity level of your family. Wet a mop in hot, running water and wring it out thoroughly. The hot water loosens debris and is safe to use in very small quantities. Mop the floor with the damp mop only or spray a small amount of a wood floor cleaner onto the floor before mopping. Buy wood floor cleaners at grocery stores or any store that sells wood flooring. These cleaners are water-based and contain mild conditioning ingredients that won't leave a residue or streaks. Mop the floor on your hands and knees several times per year with a slightly damp cloth and wood floor cleaner to deep clean the floor. Wrap a cuticle stick or butter knife in a clean cloth to remove stubborn debris in cracks and crevices.
Additional Tips
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Take preventative measures to keep wood floors looking new. Place rugs in front of the kitchen sink and stove, and by entryways. Close the curtains and blinds in the afternoon if the wood floors are underneath bright sunlight. Ask family members to remove their shoes at the door to prevent dirt from entering the home. Your house will stay cleaner and wood floors will suffer less scratching. Keep in mind, too, that wood floors expand and contract slightly with humidity and temperature variations. You may notice slight gaps in the wood flooring in the winter as the wood contracts. Running a humidifier and keeping temperatures constant will minimize this problem.
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References
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