Hardwood flooring is beautiful as well as a big investment. It also requires special care to keep it looking its best. There are some easy ways to keep your hardwood flooring looking shiny and new. Here are three hardwood floor cleaning tips that you can incorporate into your cleaning routine.
An Ounce of Prevention
Before we talk about cleaning methods, an important subject to mention is preventing dirt and damage to your hardwood floor to begin with. Shoes can scuff up hardwood floors, especially high heels and shoes with cleats on them. One easy way to prevent this is to keep a spot near the door to take off your shoes as soon as you get in the house. This will protect your floor and keep dirt from being tracked inside.
Put rugs in high-traffic areas and where kids play to keep their toys from causing scratches. Also, consider putting furniture pads on the bottom of your furniture to prevent scuff marks.
Hardwood Floor Cleaning the Right Way
A regular broom can cause microscopic scratches in your hardwood flooring. A better option is using a dust mop with microfiber. This will catch the dust and dirt and hold on to it while being gentle on your floor. When you dry mop, try to keep the mop on the floor and use a turning motion instead of picking up the mop to move it around areas. This keeps the dust from scattering around when you move the mop.
As long as you regularly sweep with a microfiber cloth or dry mop, then you will probably not need to clean it more than once a week or so. When you do feel you need a hardwood floor cleaning, make sure you use a cleaner specifically for hardwood flooring. Regular cleaning products can damage the finish on your hardwood floor, making them look dull and discolored. Also, look for a hardwood cleaner that is safe for kids and pets.
Clean Up Spills
Liquids are not friendly to hardwood flooring. It is important to clean up messes right away on your hardwood flooring. Think of hardwood floors as being similar to carpeting when it comes to spills. You don’t want the liquid to set in. Use a towel to absorb the spill right away. If the mess needs to be removed with a cleaner, use one that is hardwood-safe and spray it on the area you want to clean up, then wipe it up with a towel.
Hardwood floor cleaning takes a bit more effort, but the beauty hardwoods bring to your home is undeniable. Taking these precautions can keep your hardwood floor looking beautiful for years. When you notice your hardwood floor becoming a bit lackluster even after you have taken steps to protect it, then call Extreme Carpet Care. We take care of carpet, tile, and hardwood flooring. We know how to make your flooring look clean and new and protect it from damage, no matter what material it is made of. Check out our flooring and other cleaning services here.