Hardwood floors are a beautiful addition to any home. However, hardwood floors also require regular cleaning and upkeep to maintain their beauty. A clean floor is not only aesthetically pleasing but will help keep your family healthy and safe from the germs that live on your floor. This article will give you some tips for keeping your hardwood floors looking as good as they did when you first laid them down!
Use A Soft-Bristled Broom
The first step to cleaning a hardwood floor is sweeping up all debris and dust. One of the best brooms for this job is a soft-bristled broom. Stiff bristles will scratch your floor, so use a softer broom to sweep up crumbs and other small particles from your floor. If you don’t have a soft-bristled broom lying around, a Swiffer Sweeper works well too!
Use A Vaccum Or Dust Buster
Once you’ve swept up all the crumbs and dirt, it’s time to give your hardwood floor a deep clean. First, flip your vacuum on its highest setting and use the soft-edged brush attachment to gently “sweep” the surface of your floor. You can also use a dustbuster or other handheld vacuum. This will suck up any extra debris, dirt, or dust that your broom may have missed. Make sure to vacuum your floor at least once a week or more if you have pets!
Use A Dry Microfiber Cloth
When it comes to dusting your hardwood floors, dry microfiber cloths are the best. Skip using traditional house cleaning cloths like paper towels and old clothing rags because these can leave micro-scratches on your floor. Instead, purchase inexpensive microfiber cloths and use those to dust and polish your floors! This will help restore the natural shine and beauty of your wood.
Use A Damp Cloth Mop
Once a week, or more if needed, it’s time to give your hardwood floor a deep cleaning. Fill a bucket with hot water and one capful of gentle dish soap. Wring out the mop, so it is only damp and not dripping wet. Use this to mop your entire floor and make sure to get in the corners and along the walls. This will help eliminate any dirt, grime, or sticky spots you may have missed.
Using Polishing Products
Depending on the condition of your hardwood floors, they may need a little extra TLC. If your floor is looking dull and it’s been a long time since you last polished it, then it’s time to give that beautiful shine back! Use a product like Pledge FloorCare Wood Polish with lemon oil or Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner and Polish to bring your floors back to life! Make sure to use a polishing product sparingly, though, as too much can leave your floor feeling tacky or gummy.
Use A Duster
Using a duster is perfect for cleaning in those hard-to-reach crevices like along the baseboards. Even when you’re on top of dusting, sometimes dirt can still build up in certain areas. Another easy way to clean these spaces is by using an old, unused toothbrush! Just dip it in some all-purpose cleaner and slowly rub away at any dirt or grime in the crack next to the baseboard. This will also help brighten up your floor by removing any dark spots that have built up in the edges over time.
Conclusion
Using these steps can help you keep your hardwood floors looking their best. Make sure always to follow the manufacturer’s instructions on any products or tools you use to clean your floor. This will ensure that there won’t be any accidental damage to it and also extend its lifespan! By doing so, your wood floors can last for a long time, and you won’t have to worry about having to get them refinished or professionally restored.
