Home Tips from Bath, Kitchen and Tile Center
Hardwood floors lend a warm, rustic look to any home. Structurally, they last a long time. If you live in a house that was built 100 years ago or more, you may still be walking on the original floors. Keeping these floors looking great is another matter.
Hardwood floors need attention and care to keep their natural beauty. They need moisture or they can splinter and crack; but if they get too much moisture, they will start to buckle and warp. One of the best things you can do to keep your floors looking like new for as long as possible is cleaning them the proper way.
Cleaning Hardwood Floors
Hardwood floors are normally covered with a sealer that helps preserve the wood. This protective coating is necessary to prevent wear and tear. When cleaning, the goal is to protect this coating, which requires avoiding harsh cleansers. How do you clean the floor if you can’t use these cleansers?
- Run a sweeper over your floor daily to pick up all the daily crumbs and other debris that accumulates.
- Use a dry mop that has either a dusting head or is covered with one of the newer microfiber cloths. As a substitute, cloth diapers make an excellent choice.
- Wet a mop with plain water and wring it out so it is barely damp to clean up large spills. Use this to clean up any dirt that is left behind after the above steps.
Preventing Dirt
The best thing you can do to protect your floors and keep them looking like new is to take measures to prevent dirt from accumulating in the first place.
- Purchase a long rug leading up to your door. This will allow visitors the chance to clean any outside dirt off their feet before entering.
- In high-traffic areas, such as the refrigerator or living room couch, place throw rugs to help prevent scuffs and nicks in the coating.
- If there are any spills, wipe them up immediately, before they have had the chance to harden and stick.
