Errors will be corrected where discovered, and Lowe's reserves the right to revoke any stated offer and to correct any errors, inaccuracies or omissions including after an order has been submitted. Get in a Routine The best way to clean hardwood floors is to follow a schedule: Dust: This is one of the most underestimated and easy steps in the process. Dust daily to keep dust and dirt off the floor. This will prevent scratching and essentially extend the beauty and life of your floor. Daily dust-mopping will also significantly reduce allergens in the home. More effective than traditional methods, a microfiber material uses a static charge to attract more dust and allergens. These smaller fibers reach into floor pores to lift dirt more effectively. Clean: There's a right way to clean floors, and there's a wrong way. Too much liquid can damage floors, while the wrong formula may not work. Look for pH-neutral, nontoxic and biodegradable formulas to clean effectively and keep your home and environment safe.

Vinegar, for example, can eat away at finish, even when diluted with water. Use a washable microfiber pad, which will remove bacteria and keep waste out of landfills. Polish: Use water-based polishes to restore luster and shine every two to three months. These polishes won’t leave a residue or emit harmful toxins, plus they'll prevent over-cleaning and stripping of your floor. best way to clean unfinished hardwood floorsDurable, urethane-based polishes have fast dry times, no waxy buildup and a protective wear layer to fill in microscratches and even out the appearance of the floor.best hardwood floor cleaning kit Avoid using water and vinegar, soap-based cleaners, wax or steam cleaners on your hardwood floor. clean hp laptop cooling fan

Vinegar and water will dull the floor’s finish over time, while soap or wax will leave a residue. Use a natural, rubber rug underlayment with a waffle pattern in the entry ways or high-traffic areas; use felt floor protectors on furniture and avoid high heels. Regularly dust and clean your hardwood floor to keep it looking like new. Use the proper tools to clean your floor: a mop paired with a machine-washable, microfiber pad for dusting and cleaning. Avoid string mops that put excessive amounts of water on the floor, which can be damaging, and push dirt around, instead of picking up and removing dirt. Wipe up all spills immediately to avoid permanent stains. Keep pet nails trimmed. Maintain a comfortable environment and temperature — no extremes in humidity. Homekeeping 101: Cleaning Your Hardwood Floor Whether you own your own home or not, keeping your floors clean and in good condition is an important step in general house keeping. Flooring, particularly in high-traffic areas, takes a lot of beating and you may sometimes feel as if your floors are never free from injury and insult.

If you have hardwood floors here are some tips for how to keep them looking their best. The mortal enemies of wood is moisture and dirt; both of which will most likely settle on your floors continuously. Standing water or liquids can warp the wood and cause it to swell, so addressing spills as soon as they occur is important. Dirt-catching methods such as using entry rugs, leaving your shoes at the door and regular vacuuming and dusting can stave off tiny particles like dust and dirt that can easily scratch the floor. To figure out the best cleaning method for your floor you need to find out how your wood floors are sealed or finished (usually either wax or urethane). If you've recently installed your flooring and are able to obtain a sample and get manufacturing details, then consider yourself fortunate. Samples are the best way to assess what exactly is underfoot and will enable you to test cleaning solutions and methods. If you have no clue as to what exactly you have then try as best you can to determine if there is any top coat or finish.

Floors treated with a urethane finish (usually a polyurethane or a polyacrylic) are the easiest to clean and a quick swipe of a damp cloth will do the trick. Here are the best rules of thumb for cleaning your hardwood floors, no matter what type of finish you have: Do not use ammonia, or harsh, abrasive cleaners Do not use furniture sprays which can leave a slippery, waxy build-up Do use a wood cleaner that is designed for floors. There are many on the market and you may need to spot-test your floors to see which works best. You can also make your own solution by mixing about a quarter cup of pH-neutral soap or Murphy's Oil Soap to a bucket of warm water. Use a sparing amount of water to clean and be sure your cloth or mop isn't dripping with water. Go over the floors a second time with plain water to rinse. Do use wood appropriate cleaning tools. Soft, non-scratching fibrous cloths (like microfiber) are perfect for picking up surface dirt without marking your floors.

If you really don't know what you have underfoot then never fear. Start by going to a local hardware store or better yet, a flooring store. All questions and concerns are best left to people who work with wood on a regular basis. Sometimes these shops carry their own proprietary brands of cleaning solutions and it's a great place to pick up supplies and cleaning cloths. As stated before, the best way to maintain a clean hardwood floor is to prevent dirt and spills from accumulating in the first place. Image credit: Frenchescar Lim Is it safe to use on hardwood flooring?Learn more about using Symphony Vacuum and Steam Mop 1132 on hardwood floors. Do you have questions about using the BISSELL Symphony Vacuum and Steam Mop on your hardwood floors? Anda Allison, from BISSELL, is here to answer your questions. “Is it okay to use steam on wood floors?” Yes, Bissell Steam Mops, including the Symphony Vacuum and Steam Mop, are designed to clean hard flooring such as ceramic tile, vinyl, laminate, marble, stone, and hardwood floors.

Steam is not recommended for use on unsealed wood flooring. Before cleaning, we always suggest that you test in an inconspicuous area and mind the instructions from your flooring manufacturer. “I’ve always heard that water isn’t good for my hardwood floors”. The nice thing about Symphony is that you control the amount of steam or moisture that is put down on your floors. First, you have ability to select low or high steam outputs. We recommend the low steam for use on sealed hardwood floors. Second, as you’re cleaning, steam isn’t released until you activate the trigger which will release for continuous or on demand steam. “How do I know if my wood floors are sealed?” A quick test can be done to determine if your floors are sealed or not. Place a drop of water on the floor in an inconspicuous place. If the drop beads up and sits on the surface of the wood, the wood is likely to be sealed. If it is absorbed into the floor and leaves a spot, the floors are not sealed or the sealant has worn out.