What Can I Mop Wood Floors With?
Daily dirt and dust buildup on wood floors makes them look dirty and dull, and a broom may not effectively remove all the dirt and residue. Hardwood flooring manufacturers and flooring associations generally do not recommend using a traditional mop to clean wood floors because of the amount of water used. They do recommend another mopping tool and specific mopping cleaners to make your wood floors shiny, clean and streak-free. Does this Spark an idea?
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Microfiber Mop
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Start with a microfiber mop when mopping wood floors. Hardwood flooring manufacturers and the Wood Floor Covering Association all recommend using a microfiber-headed mop. It's soft, absorbent and attracts dirt and dust easily as you glide it across your delicate wood floors.
Water
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While wet cleaning is not generally recommended for wood floors, manufacturers and flooring associations do suggest using a small amount of water to clean up residue. Never damp mop a floor, but spray the microfiber mop head with a thin layer of water to clean up sticky residue. As long as the water doesn't cause streaking, water is the only cleaner you may need to use when mopping your wood floors.
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Hardwood Floor Cleaner
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Each individual hardwood flooring company recommends a specific hardwood cleaning product, usually one the company formulates specifically to clean its wood flooring. The companies and even the wood flooring association suggest using the recommended hardwood floor cleaner to remove tough residue and to reduce streaking. Additionally, you can use the hardwood floor cleaner to remove scuffs and heel marks from the flooring as you notice them.
Warnings and Suggestions
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Clean up any excess water or spills immediately since standing water causes the floor to expand and can cause it splinter or crack. Do not use household cleaners, ammonia cleaners or oil soaps to clean your hardwood floor; these dull the finish. Clean up immediately any overspray from other household cleaners that may have landed on your wood floors.
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References
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