Cleaning prefinished hardwood floors is a delicate process, and before you start cleaning, itโs important to understand what kind of finish is on your floor to avoid any damage. Get a head start on your project with this quick guide on how to clean prefinished hardwood floors.
One of the best ways to protect your investment is to clean your prefinished hardwood floors regularly. The best way to do this is with a dust mop or vacuum. Avoid using too much water or harsh chemicals, as this can damage the floors. Instead, use a cleaner specifically designed for hardwood floors. Be sure to wipe up any spills immediately, as they can cause irreversible damage if left unattended.
So, with the right know-how, itโs easy to keep your floors looking like new. Iโll teach you how to clean prefinished hardwood floors the right way, along with additional tips to protect your floors from future damage.
Also Read: How To Remove Hardwood Stains?
How To Clean Prefinished Hardwood Floors
Homeowners much prefer prefinished hardwood flooring in their homes. It lasts longer, is more solid, and has a nicer appearance than concrete sub-floors. Plus, the classic look and shiny finish of prefinished hardwood flooring make any room appear warm and inviting.
Most prefinished hardwood floors have a polyurethane or urethane finish, which is more durable than wax finishes. When cleaning a floor with a polyurethane or urethane finish, you should avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners, as these can damage the finish.
Cleaning your hardwood floors doesnโt have to be difficult. Follow the below tips for the best way to clean prefinished hardwood floors:
Dust Mopping โ Daily
Itโs important to sweep or dust mop hardwood floors every day. This will remove the build-up of dirt, dust, pet hair and other debris that can dull the finish of your floors. If you donโt have a dust mop, you can use a dry microfiber cloth instead.
Wet Moping- Monthly
For a deeper clean, you will want to wet mop your hardwood floors every month. This will remove the more stuck dirt and debris. When wet mopping your floors, itโs important to use a cleaner that is recommended by the manufacturer. You also want to avoid using too much soap, as this can leave streaks or a sticky residue.
Also Read: How to Restretch Carpet on Stairs
Vacuuming โ Weekly
In addition to dust mopping, you should vacuum your hardwood floors at least once a week. This will help to remove any remaining dirt and debris that was missed with the dust mop. Be sure to use a vacuum cleaner that has a soft brush attachment to avoid scratching the floors.
Cleaning With A Hardwood Floor Cleaner โ Monthly
Once a month, you should clean your hardwood floors with a cleaner specifically designed for hardwood floors. These cleaners are made to gently clean the floor without damaging the finish. Be sure to follow the instructions on the bottle for the best results. When it comes to cleaning solutions, less is more. You should avoid using too much water or cleaners that are too harsh, as this can damage your floors.
Spot Cleaning โ As Needed
If you have any spills, itโs important to clean them up immediately. This is especially true for liquids like red wine or coffee, as they can cause irreversible damage if left unattended. You can use a damp cloth to wipe up the area for small spills. For larger spills, you may need to use a hardwood floor cleaner.
Also Read: How to Fix Carpet Ripples
Polishing Your Floors โ Quarterly
Hardwood floors should be polished every 3 months to prevent pristine shine from dulling. Furthermore, this will maintain the floorโs finish and make it less of a hassle to clean. Be sure to use manufacturer-recommended polish for guaranteed results and no unwanted sticky messes.
Sand Or Refinish -Yearly
Sand or refinish prefinished hardwood floors every year to keep them looking the best. This will help to remove any scratches or wear and tear that has occurred over the course of the year. Be sure to hire a professional to do this, as it is a delicate process.
How To Clean Prefinished Hardwood Floors Without Streaks!
You may need to scrub your hardwood floors to remove stubborn dirt and debris. Use a more powerful scrubbing mop pad to remove tough dirt and stains without damaging your floors. Once youโve finished scrubbing, be sure to rinse the area with clean water to remove any remaining cleaner.
Itโs easy to get floors without streaks when you know the right techniques. These are as follows:
- Use the recommended amount of soap to avoid making more work for yourself later.
Also Read: Can You Use a Steam Mop on Vinyl Plank Flooring?
- Mop small sections at a time so that youโre not doing an overall poor job and then have to start over because the dirty water dried.
3.โRinseโ your mop means release or change out the water when it starts getting gross โ do this often!
- Be careful with what kind of cleaners you use โ some will damage hardwood floors permanently even if they claim to be โcleanersโ! Water should be fine and is actually recommended by many manufacturers as being best for prefinished hardwood floors.
Protecting Your Floors โย Additional Tips!
Itโs vital to protect your hardwood floors from future damage. Here are a few tips:
- Place mats at all entrances to collect dirt and debris before it has a chance to get on your floors.
- Use furniture pads under all chairs, tables and other furniture to avoid scratches.
- Avoid walking on your hardwood floors with shoes that have high heels or hard soles.
- Keep petsโ nails trimmed to avoid scratches.
Also Read: How To Remove Water Stains From Hardwood Floors? A Definitive Guide!
Conclusion
Now that you understand how to clean prefinished hardwood floors follow these tips regularly. This will keep your floors sparkling and prevent any build-up of dirt, dust or debris which could potentially damage the flooring. Remember to vacuum, dust mop and wet mop the floor as part of your regular cleaning routine. It would be best if you also used a specialist hardwood floor cleaner each month with a polish every three months. If there are any spills, donโt forget to clean them up immediately!
Check out our blog for more tips on cleaning and maintaining your hardwood floors.
