Should I just clean them really well? Finally, buff the hardwood floors with a terry cloth to get rid of any streak marks. Melissa Witulski, the business operations manager for Merry Maids, stresses the importance of regularly cleaning your floor before it becomes a major task or unmanageable. Another bonus of cleaning wood floors with apple cider vinegar and water is that it doesn’t leave a film or require rinsing like many store-bought or chemical-based cleaning products. Witulski suggests starting by dusting the surface to remove any dust particles, then fill a bucket with the homemade vinegar solution. Loose pieces of dirt and small stones may be tracked into your house on a daily basis. this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. After all, wood floors take the greatest amount of wear and tear in our homes. "I have custom-made hardwood floors. By using our site, you agree to our. Ask a flooring specialist if your hardwood requires waxing or buffing. Not only will they damage the hardwood, but a few will even void the warranty on your floor. You might be able to sand it away, but that's not a guarantee. Spray the cleaner liberally on the floor and wipe with a mop. Be sure to spot-test the mineral spirits on an inconspicuous area first. Determine your kind of hardwood finish. ", for me to try without adding to the problem. Various kinds of wood flooring, whether solid wood, laminate, or composite, may need to be maintained differently. Last Updated: March 29, 2019 Pick up a wood repair kit that matches your hardwood from your local hardware store as well as some floor wax. It requires zero rinsing and it also won’t leave a sticky residue. You can also combine the ingredients in a bucket, but you’ll have to dump out any leftovers once you’ve finished cleaning the floor. The microfiber dust mop will not scratch your floors as some vacuums might.”. Allow the paint to dry before applying wax with a paintbrush until it matches the smoothness of the surrounding floorboards. Another bonus is the fresh, earthy scent. This article has been viewed 1,010,318 times. Can I use a steam mop on hardwood floors? Dirty wood floors aren’t simply unclean, but can be damaging to the wood itself, which is expensive to repair, refinish, or at the very worst, replace. If you want to clean wood floors without water—that’s also easy. Think about all the dust, dirt, grime, and debris you bring in from the outside. This is also better for the environment than using disposable pads. What can I use to get candle wax off of a hardwood floor? How should I maintain old hardwood floors with a varnish finish? It dissolves the sticky back. She has over 10 years of professional cleaning experience, and dispenses helpful tips on all things home. A spill, a pair of muddy shoes, or even a dirty dog that comes charging into the house can suddenly become a great nuisance. Obviously, do not leave wet or the floor will warp. We have spots, that will not come up with a slightly damp mop (small grandchildren). Witulski suggests making a solution by mixing a quarter cup of apple cider vinegar with a gallon of warm water. If you would prefer to not use runners, consider at least installing a floor mat near the exterior entrances. A simple sweep or vacuum should cover most messes. To learn how to clean hardwood floors with a surface seal, keep reading! How do I protect my hardwood floors from being scratched? Product literature on these machines is careful to note, though, that floors must be properly sealed for the tools … Adding children and pets to the mix creates a whole new level of dirt and mess. Melissa Maker is host and editor of CleanMySpace, a YouTube channel and blog with over 1 million subscribers. Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. Allow a couple drops of water to sit on the floor, then rub the spot on the floor with sandpaper. Is there really a best way to clean wood floors? Prefinished floors are the easiest to spot, as every board has beveled (slightly raised) edges. If I have been using diluted vinegar with peppermint oil for cleaning, but recently haven't been able to remove the bare footprints from my floors, should I make a stronger vinegar solution? After that, use a flat mop with a microfiber cover, dip it into the water mixture and begin cleaning. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. How can I remove sticky back plastic from laminate flooring? Patience and a little elbow grease are all you'll need to get nice, clean floors. The best way to remove candle wax is by using hot water and a sponge to simply wipe the wax away. The shower spray style nozzle also makes the product easy to dispense—no puddles or pooling. If you’ve just purchased an old house, … Cleaning something as valuable as hardwood can be intimidating, especially if you aren’t sure what the finish is. The Ecovacs Deebot M81 ($300; wayfair.com), is a smart choice because it both vacuums and mops. To do so, rub a small dot into the floor in an inconspicuous area (like under a couch). Is there a product that can get rid of an area where the polish spilled on the hardwood floor? To clean hardwood floors, start by sweeping them with a soft-bristled broom or vacuuming them with the bare floor setting on your vacuum. If you don’t have apple cider vinegar on hand, alternatively you can add half a cup of white vinegar to a gallon of water to clean any type of floor. There are also some sprays and disinfectants which specialize in cleaning wax and other hard-to-remove substances. Unsealed wood floors are different from finished hardwood floors because water can be easily absorbed through the wood, having a greater impact on the life and condition of the flooring. She has over 10 years of professional cleaning experience, and dispenses helpful tips on all things home. Wring the mop dry, rub it over the wet floor until it’s saturated, and repeat until the floor is fairly dry. Can I use a steam mop on a hardwood floor? Use a produce called "Goo Gone." Also ensure that it dries quickly. You can try rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover. Cleaning Up Spills Clean up spills immediately. Most vacuums have attached bristles to kick up dust, but these can ruin hardwood floors. To learn how to clean hardwood floors with a surface seal, keep reading! According to Witulski, vinegar is the best cleaner for hardwood floors, and it also happens to be natural, safe, and inexpensive. “I suggest using a dust mop regularly, so there is never too much build-up. Has your Thanksgiving pumpkin pie gone bad? If you do happen to notice a scratch in your floor, do not panic. If you are going to replace them eventually, you may try painting them, even creating a pattern of blocks of paint like floor tiles. As you clean, it’s important to remember never to get wood floors too wet because it can remove the finish or potentially cause warping or deterioration. Good news: everything you need is probably right in your pantry. ", http://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/cleaning/more-techniques/clean-hardwood-floors, http://www.mnn.com/your-home/at-home/blogs/fact-or-fiction-fresh-lemon-removes-hard-water-stains, http://www.bhg.com/homekeeping/house-cleaning/surface/how-to-clean-hardwood-floors/, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZAD7Zt-s2c, Wood Floor Doctor on cleaning hardwood floors, This Old House on prefinished versus site-finished floors, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow, Older floors that haven’t been refinished usually have a. If the surface isn’t glossy, you have a stained or unfinished floor. It requires zero rinsing and it also won’t leave a sticky residue. You can also mix some baking soda and oil, then apply that on the area, wait for a few minutes and clean it with a soft towel. Spills are going to happen, no matter how careful … This can also be a good timesaver. 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