Common Mistakes to Avoid During Hardwood Floor Cleaning
If you have hardwood floors in your home then you probably already know that they need to be cared for in different ways to laminate floors or carpeting. There are lots of dos and don’ts to successful and effective hardwood floor cleaning, and if you’re unsure about the method that you’re using, or if you’re looking for tips and advice then this is the guide for you! Here’s what you need to avoid when cleaning your hardwood floors, and how to become a professional floor cleaner!
1) Don’t use everyday cleaning cloths.
You might already have a selection of cleaning cloths that you use for floor cleaning, but these might not be suitable for your hardwood floors. Hardwood floors can get scratched very easily, and you don’t want this to happen with yours! Instead of using a tougher or scratchy cloth invest in microfiber cloths. These are much softer and won’t cause any damage to your floors. Before cleaning, dust your floor with these for a better quality of clean!
2) Don’t use a regular mop for your floor clean.
Just like your cleaning cloths, it’s likely that your mop will be too tough for the delicate surface of hardwood floors. Opt for a mop with a microfiber head or flat pad, as this will do a much better job and won’t tarnish or damage your flooring!
3) Don’t use unsuitable products when hardwood cleaning.
There are lots of different types of hardwood floors, and it’s imperative that you have the right cleaner for yours. Try to avoid cleaners that claim to work on all types of hardwood flooring, as you’ll get a much better result with a specified cleaner. Look out for cleaners that contain wax, as these will gives your floors a nice and shiny look! Using any floor cleaning products that aren’t designed for hardwood floors can cause significant damage, from bleaching to wood rot. Make sure you use nothing other than the right product for the job to avoid this happening to you!
4) Don’t saturate or soak the floor.
Whenever you use a floor cleaning product make sure to use it lightly. Any wet spots, damp patches or spills of liquid can seep into the grain of the wood and warp it, damage it or cause it to rot from the inside. Be very careful when scrubbing your floors and try to apply the product lightly, using a small amount. If you’re worried about this, try to find a suitable product that’s available as a spray, as these will be easier to control.
5) Don’t use a vacuum cleaner.
Vacuum cleaners are fine to clean the corners and the skirting boards of your room, but they shouldn’t be used on the main portion of your hardwood floors. This will cause a lot of damage, and the scratches that vacuums can make will affect the longevity and appearance of your floors! Instead, dust the floor with a soft cloth and clean as usual.
6) Don’t forget to clean up spills and mess.
If an accident occurs on your hardwood floors then make sure to deal with it immediately. Spills should always be cleaned up as soon as possible. Mop up the mess with a clean microfiber cloth and then cleanse the area with your cleaning spray to prevent staining, stickiness or tarnishing. The faster you act on a spill or stain, the less likely it will be to cause a problem!
