Kitchen Cleaning Tips for a Healthier Home How To Clean Kitchen Cabinets How to Clean Granite Countertops, the Healthy Way How to Get Rid of Flies in Your House Green Cleaning Tips to Make Your Laminate Floors the Neighborhood Envy Healthier Ways to Tackle the Cleaning of Your Mattress Cleaning Tips for Maintaining Beautiful Hardwood Floors How To Clean With Vinegar How To Remove Hard Water Stains How To Clean With Baking Soda How To Clean Tile Floors How To Clean Soap Scum How To Clean Marble Floors Cleaning with Lemon Juice Healthier Ways To Clean Grout in Your Home Best Way To Clean Copper Home Cleaning Tips for Fabulous Looking Blinds Natural Ways to Rid Your Home of Stubborn Mold Hardwood floors are a beautiful addition to any home. The variety of offerings fit nearly every desired taste & budget and will dress-up the look of any interior. Their function goes beyond aesthetics, though. Hardwood flooring can actually make your home greener.

Think about some of the major differences vs. carpeting: less dust & dander trapped, fewer odors, less likely to stain from spills, and not nearly as many harmful chemicals. They can be maintenance-heavy at times, though. Liquids Can Damage HardwoodsThe best way to clean hardwood flooring depends on the type of sealant. Most modern versions use a water resistant formula. When cleaning it’s important to remember that liquids are an enemy, so use water and other solvents very sparingly. car vacuum cleaner usageThe key to success is a technique called ‘damp mopping’. best vacuum cleaner hard surface floorsNot familiar with the term? dryer vent cleaning kit for saleAfter saturating the mop with your chosen cleaning solution, simply wring it out as much as possible.

Remember, you only want a minimal amount of liquid applied to the hardwood surface. Once completed, be sure that there is no standing water as it could damage the flooring. This holds true for spills, as well. Clean them as quickly as possible to prevent possible staining or something more severe. For quick touch-ups, regular sweeping will help. We recommend a dry dust mop or the soft brush attachment on the vacuum cleaner. Take caution using a standard broom; the stiff, straw-like bristles could damage the flooring’s surface. Traffic levels can impact how often and with what methods the hardwoods in a room are cleaned. Be sure to take care and always start with the less aggressive approach.Maid Brigade's DIY RecommendationTo achieve a natural clean using ingredients that omit the harmful toxins in most commercially sold cleaning solutions, we recommend mopping your hardwood floors using a mixture of vinegar and water. Start with a weaker mixture and increase the potency as needed.

Over an extended period of time vinegar may accelerate the dulling of your hardwoods. An alternative natural cleaning solution is warm water and dish soap (1/4 cup of dish washing liquid for a bucket of warm water). For spot-cleaning needs, sprinkle baking soda on the affected area and scrub with a sponge. To ensure that the area is completely clean, rinse with warm water and dry. This is particularly effective on scuff marks and small stains. If you have questions, call one of Maid Brigade’s local cleaning experts at 866.800.7470 for assistance. Regardless of your dedication, most homes need a deep cleaning once or twice a year to get the dirt and build-up that accumulate from everyday life. Professional cleaning services like Maid Brigade can help. We use only Green Clean Certified® products in your home including HEPA-filtered vacuum cleaners that are approved by the American Lung Association. Our equipment along with proven methods are highly effective and ensure that only a sparkling shine remains when our maids are done.

We’ll care for your hardwood floors and home like they are our own. Maid Brigade’s cleaning tips are here to help keep your home in great shape between cleanings. Allow us to handle the heavy lifting while you enjoy time with the family! For a FREE estimate, click here: Maid Brigade House Cleaning Estimate.Maintenance Cleaning wood floors is easy. Regular maintenance includes sweeping with a soft bristle broom or dusting with a dry microfiber mop. If the floor has beveled edges, vacuum with the beater bar turned off to remove dust from between the floor boards. Clean the floors periodically with a professional wood floor cleaning product recommended by a wood flooring professional. Find a professional in your area.Recommended Maintenance Schedule  Daily Sweep or dust mop Weekly Vacuum using the bare floor setting Monthly Clean with recommended wood flooring cleaner Every 3 - 5 Years Maintenance coat Every Few Decades Sand and refinish To keep wood floors looking and performing well for generations, follow these guidelines.

Individual maintenance schedules will vary depending on use, wear and tear, and lifestyle. There are other steps that can help maintain the beauty of wood floors.Do not use vinyl or tile cleaning products on wood floors. Self-polishing acrylic waxes cause wood to become slippery and appear dull quickly.Use throw rugs at doorways to help prevent debris from being tracked in and scratching the floor.Do not wet-mop or steam mop a wood floor. Water and steam can dull the finish and even damage the wood.Wipe up spills immediately with a slightly dampened cloth.Do not over-wax a wood floor. If a wax floor dulls, try buffing instead. Avoid wax buildup under furniture and other light traffic areas by applying wax in these spots every other waxing session.Put stick-on felt protectors under the legs of furniture to prevent scuffing and scratching. Replace these often as dirt and debris can become imbedded on the pad and act like sand paper on the flooring surface.Avoid walking on your wood floors with sports cleats and high heels in disrepair.

A 125-pound woman walking in high heels with an exposed heel nail can exert up to 8,000 pounds per square inch. This kind of impact can dent any floor surface.When moving heavy furniture, do not slide it on wood flooring. It is best to pick up the furniture to move it and to prevent scratches.For wood flooring in the kitchen, place an area rug at the kitchen sink.Use a humidifier throughout the winter months to minimize gaps.Frequently Asked Questions: Care + Maintenance How are polyurethane or other surface finishes maintained? Dustmop, sweep, or vacuum regularly. Always follow the manufacturer's cleaning recommendations if known. When cleaning no longer restores shine, recoat the floor with a surface finish. The frequency of recoating depends on the amount of traffic. Never wax a surface-finished floor, and never use vinyl or tile floor care products on any wood floor.  How are wax or penetrating-stain finishes maintained?Dustmop or vacuum regularly, and use a buffer to maintain shine.

If buffing no longer restores shine, you may need to rewax. If so, apply a cleaner and liquid wax specifically for wood floors. Apply the wax evenly, allow the floor to dry, and buff to the desired luster. Depending on traffic, a properly maintained wood floor should need waxing once or twice a year. Be careful not to over-wax. If the floor dulls, try buffing instead. Avoid wax buildup under furniture and other low-traffic areas by applying wax half as often as in higher-traffic areas. How can I clean a discolored or soiled wax finish? If the wax finish is discolored or has dirt build-up, use a combination liquid cleaner/wax made specifically for wood flooring. Make sure it is solvent rather than water-based. Spread the liquid cleaner/wax with a cloth or fine steel wool and rub gently to remove grime and old wax. Wipe the floor clean, let it dry for about 20 minutes, and then buff. Can cleaning products for vinyl or tile floors be used on wood floors?No. Never use vinyl or tile cleaning products on wood floors.

And never use self-polishing acrylic waxes on wood floors. These waxes cause wood to become slippery and dull. In this case, the floor must be sanded and refinished.  Can a wood floor be damp-mopped or steam cleaned?No. Never damp mop or steam clean a waxed floor. When cleaning a surface-finished floor, follow the manufacturer's recommendations. You may generally use a dampened (near dry) mop to maintain a wood floor; however excessive moisture can cause damage as can steam cleaners. Water can dull the finish and even damage the wood. If water spills on a wood floor, immediately wipe it up with a clean cloth. How can I prevent scratches on wood flooring?Place walk off rugs at doorways to help protect wood floors from grit, dirt and debris. Place felt pads under furniture legs and vacuum/dust your wood floor regularly. Wood In Your Home Looking for a quick and easy guide to wood floor selection? We've got everything you need in one easy guide. Complete this form for more information on the benefits of hardwood floors in your home or business, delivered right to your inbox.