How To Deep Clean Dirty Wood Floors Like a Professional
Do you get that disturbed, sinking feeling when you look at your dulled wood floors? You remember how shiny and sleek they looked months ago, but now they seem to be coated in a fog.
While this is an expected consequence of normal wear and tear, you can prevent it by performing regular, focused, proper maintenance. By incorporating a professional’s guidelines into your house cleaning routine, you can keep your wood floors looking as polished and attractive as they did when they were installed.
Read on to learn the procedures proven to be best for maintaining any kind of wood floor, including the use of appropriate cleaning agents and tools.
Table of Contents
How To Deep Clean Wood Floors
The type of hardwood floor that you have determines how it should be cleaned. The method and materials used should effectively clean without harming the particular material of the floor, such as solid hardwood, engineered hardwood, or laminate wood.
Here are some general tips for cleaning wood floors:
Verify that the products you’re using are designed for your hardwood and its finish.
Apply any liquids carefully to prevent them from soaking into the hardwood.
Never steam-clean hardwood because water can seep down into cracks and crevices and cause the wood to swell, warp, and mold. Instead, use gentle cleaning pads and eco-friendly cleaning products.
Tidy Up Portland! has experience with all types of flooring. Call us today to schedule a cleaning for your wood floors.
How To Deep Clean Solid Wood Floors
Solid hardwood means the finished product is “less manufactured” and more eco-friendly than other types because each plank comes from a single piece of lumber. There are no synthetic layers and no gluing together of multiple pieces to comprise a plank. It tends to be more durable, with a longer lifespan and greater moisture resistance.
Follow these steps to deep clean solid hardwood floors:
Remove surface-level dust using a vacuum or dust mop, following the grain of the flooring.
Gently massage the floor using a wet mop with a soft cleaning pad and warm water to trap dirt and debris. Do not use too much water, or it will soak down between the floorboards and cause water damage. Be sure to go over the floor with a dry cleaning pad to absorb excess water.
Use a putty knife to scrape out grime between floorboards, then spot clean as needed. You might choose to disinfect the floor using a mop to apply antibacterial wood floor cleaner. Wipe up excess product with a dry towel.
What To Avoid Using on Solid Wood Floors
Do not use the following on solid wood, as they can damage your floors:
Acidic products such as vinegar or alkaline products such as ammonia: These will break down the finish and leave your floor looking dull.
Abrasives: These can scratch and dull the finish.
Excessive water: Too much moisture will settle in the grooves of the wood and lead to warping over time.
Wax: It does not protect much against moisture, and it wears off rather easily.
Wood furniture wipes or cleaners: These are often marketed as effective for cleaning wood floors, but you need to be sure it is compatible with your specific type of wood floor. Also, many of these products contain oil that can make the floor slippery.
Soapy water: The soap is too harsh and can remove the protective oils from the wood.
How To Deep Clean Engineered Wood Floors
Engineered hardwood is made only partly from a solid piece of hardwood that forms the surface layer. The bulk of each plank is a stable composite material such as high-density fiberboard, and the two layers are bound together with industrial adhesive. It is less durable than solid wood but is also eco-friendly in the sense that it is made from recycled wood, although it does contain synthetic materials.
Besides sweeping daily, follow these steps to deep clean your engineered hardwood floors:
Use a vacuum with a soft-bristle attachment to remove finer particles and dust.
Mop the floor with a damp microfiber mop, going with the grain and soaking up excess water with a dry microfiber towel.
Polish the floor periodically with a high-quality product designed specifically for engineered hardwood. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure proper application, even coverage, and effective buffing technique.
Refurbish the floors every five years. This means sanding out the scratches and imperfections and then applying a new protective finish.
What To Avoid Using on Engineered Wood Floors
Avoid using the following on engineered hardwood:
Excessive moisture: This can lead to warping, swelling, and other damage that can’t be repaired.
Abrasive brushes: While these might effectively remove stains on the floor, they will leave unsightly marks and weaken the wood.
Steam mop: High heat and moisture can penetrate the flooring and cause it to warp and swell. It can also destroy the finish.
Harsh chemicals: These cause discoloration or other damage.
Rough applicators: Items like steel wool or rough sponges can scratch the surface.
How To Clean Laminate Wood Floors
Laminate mimics hardwood in its look but it is composed of melamine resin and fiberboard materials. It is cheaper, easier to install, comfortable on your feet, and extremely durable.
To protect and restore the luster of your laminate wood floors, deep clean them regularly using these steps:
Use a vacuum with a hard floor attachment or soft-bristle brush to remove loose dust and debris. Be sure to clean along edges and in corners where dirt tends to accumulate.
Spot clean stains using a soft cloth or sponge. You may need a specialized laminate floor cleaner for tougher stains. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s directions. Then rinse the area with clean water and dry up any excess water.
Make a cleaning solution and apply it with a microfiber mop. An effective solution can be made by adding one part vinegar to three parts water, with an optional drop of dish soap.
Clean and rinse the floor. Go over the whole area with a damp microfiber mop, rinsing it in clean water periodically. Soak up any excess water with a dry microfiber mop or cloth and let the floor air dry.
What To Avoid Using on Laminate Wood Floors
The following materials should not be used to clean laminate wood floors:
Floor buffers
Polish
Abrasive or acidic cleaners
Steel wool or scouring powder
What Is the Best Thing to Use To Deep Clean Wood Floors?
The best tools and solutions for deep cleaning wood floors differ based on the type of wood used for the flooring. For the best results, trust a professional like Tidy Up Portland! to use products that will effectively deep clean wooden floors without compromising their integrity or finish.
Contact Tidy Up Portland! to get personalized advice from a house cleaner about what supplies are most effective for routine maintenance.
Recommended Products
Only use products that are suited for your floor type. You need products strong enough to remove stains without damaging the floor. A few highly rated products that are generally safe and effective for cleaning wood floors are:
Bona hardwood floor cleaning spray
Mr. Clean finished floor cleaner
Pallman hardwood floor cleaner concentrate
If you’re looking to go green with your hardwood floor cleaning, combining a little of your favorite eco-friendly dish soap with water works wonders!
Recommended Tools & Equipment
In general, you should have the following on hand to complete a deep cleaning of your wood floors:
Vacuum with soft-bristle attachment
Mops with microfiber pads for both wet and dry activities
Microfiber towels for absorbing excess moisture
Maintain Your Wood Floors to Keep Them Looking New
Cleaning is just one component of proper wood floor maintenance. These tips will help you to keep your wood floors looking fresh and new for as long as possible, regardless of what they are made of:
Many wood types are durable (some more than others), but be sure to keep them dry by cleaning spills as soon as they happen.
Make sure the wood isn’t bending or cupping. Cupping occurs when a wood plank absorbs water and forms a concave shape as the edges of the plank move higher than the center. This can create gaps between the floorboards as well as cracking and splintering of individual boards.
Ensure that the baseboards and floor are securely joined.
Refinish your wood floors when they begin to show signs of wear. This can prolong the life of the floor for many years. Keep in mind that solid wood floors can be refinished more often than engineered wood.
Tidy Up Portland!: Professional Deep Cleanings for Your Wood Floors
Make Tidy Up Portland! your go-to provider for house cleaning in Portland. We can deep clean your wood floors and perform many other tasks that you’d rather leave to the professionals. You can choose from various packages to ensure that your home gets cleaned thoroughly and regularly.
Tidy Up Portland! provides prompt, high-quality service that you can schedule quickly and easily using our online portal.
Our employees have received rigorous training and background checks, so you can trust that we do competent and reliable work.
Call us or visit our website today to schedule a cleaning and learn more about our services.
