Cleaning Hardwood Floor Tips

Note: When you add a new tip, please make sure that they go to correct section by looking at existing sections.

Preventive Maintenance

Clean your floors regularly.
Sweeping or vacuuming dirt and debris will save you a lot of time and expense in the long run.
Wipe up any spills as soon as they occur.

Sweep your floor everyday or as needed. It is important to sweep up any dirt or debris off of your floor as necessary so that the dirt doesn’t scratch the wood.
A rubber broom is extremely effective and safe to use on hardwood floors.
Use a hardwood cleaner once a week to keep your floor looking its best.
Simply spray the cleaner on and use a cloth or hardwood broom to buff the floor gently.
Never use water and soap when cleaning your hardwood.
Because wood is susceptible to water damage, you want to minimize the contact that your floor has with water.
The best mop for hardwood is one that uses very little liquid.

Place felt on the bottom of all of your furniture in order to protect it from scratches. This is particularly important for furniture pieces that move a great deal such as your kitchen chairs.
Polish your floor regularly. If you have a hardwood floor with a wax finish, you may want to wax it on a regular basis to keep it looking shiny and new.
Every wax product is different so it is important to read the directions carefully and also consult the manufactures guidelines of your flooring before applying any wax product.

It is important to sweep up any dirt or debris off of your floor as necessary so that the dirt doesn’t scratch the wood.
Hardwood cleaners are available at any home improvement center and are quite easy to use.
Hardwood is not like linoleum or even laminate flooring and you cannot use a bucket of sudsy, soapy water to clean it.
You can damage your floor if you try to mop it in a traditional style.
Water will seep into the cracks of the boards and can cause swelling, discoloration and deformation of the boards.
Use a microfiber mop for streak-free and polished floors.
You can purchase felt at the local hardware store, and cut it to size to fit the bottom of every piece of furniture that you have.
The waxing process will also help buff any scratches out of your floor as well.