How to Clean Your Hardwood Floors

There are several ways to clean your hardwood floors. A soft-bristled broom can remove dirt and grime. Another way is to clean your floors with hydrogen peroxide. This chemical cleaner can be purchased from Home Depot. Then, apply it to the surface with a soft cloth.

Vacuuming

Vacuuming hardwood floors can be a great way to keep them looking clean. However, using a vacuum designed specifically for hardwood floors is essential. These vacuums should be lightweight and have adequate suction to clean the floor effectively. Moreover, you should avoid using a heavy vacuum on a hardwood floor, as you might end up scratching the finish.

The best vacuum for hardwood floors is an oval floor brush with a canister model. This vacuum offers complete control and can reach even the most challenging corners. The brush on a canister is also softer on the floor than on an upright model. Before using a canister vacuum on hardwood floors, make sure it has a switch that turns off the rotating brush.

Vacuuming regularly

Vacuuming regularly is one of the best ways to maintain your hardwood floors. Regularly vacuuming will remove dirt, dust, and pet hair. It’s a good idea to do so every couple of days, and more often if you have pets. Afterward, use a damp mop to remove any stains that the vacuum has missed. Regular vacuuming will help keep your wood floors looking like new for decades.

A vacuum with powerful suction is best for hardwood floors. Avoid those with fabric or beater bars, as they can scratch the surface. Using a microfiber dust mop is another good idea for daily cleaning. You can also use disposable electrostatic cloths for quick dusting. While dusting the floors weekly can help keep them looking clean, it can’t altogether remove the dirt and oil accumulating over time.

Using a soft-bristled broom

If you have hardwood floors in your home, a soft-bristled sweeping broom is your best bet. These brooms have soft flagged bristles, which trap dirt and hair. Moreover, hardwood floors are particularly vulnerable to damage from scratches, so it’s important to avoid sweeping them with a hard-bristled broom.

Brooms should be cleaned at least twice a year, and you should replace them when they show signs of wear and tear. Look for bent or broken bristles when looking for a new one. Another tip for extending the life of a broom is to clean its bristles every month.

Vacuuming with hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is an inexpensive way to clean wood floors. It has several benefits over traditional cleaning solutions, such as its anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral properties. It also effectively removes stains and surface dirt without leaving any residue.

First, make sure to pre-clean the floor. You can spray the hardwood floors with 3% hydrogen peroxide and let it sit for a few minutes. Then, wipe the floors with a microfiber cloth. To get rid of tough stains, you may need to apply more pressure or use more hydrogen peroxide than average.

Avoiding hot/cold water

When cleaning wood floors, avoid using hot or cold water. While using hot water to clean hardwood floors is not necessary, you can use it to clean other surfaces. The hot water will make the cleaning solution more effective. It’s also important to dry the hardwood floors before walking on them.

Hot water is more likely to dissolve grease and dirt quickly than cold water. However, the hot water will leave the floors damp and damage the protective wax coating.