How to Clean Hardwood Floors
When we purchased our home in Gaylord, I was beyond excited to have hardwood floors. They look great and are so much better for people who have severe allergies, like my husband. After we moved in I realized I had no idea how to properly care for hardwoods. I was afraid that I would ruin them. Now I know that it's not so bad if you've got the right tools.
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Everyday Care
No matter how recently I've cleaned, there is always, dirt and dog hair. So, typically everyday I sweep the hardwoods. And, let's be honest, life happen and stuff spills. If it's a dry spill, like flour or cereal, we'll sweep or vacuum it up. For liquid spills, we do our best to it soak up and use a damp rag if it's something sticky. Just make sure you don't have anything liquid sitting on your hardwood for very long! As you probably already know, wood and liquid don't mix well. Over time it can severely damage the planks, and you'll have to replace it.
For a while I was using the Swiffer Sweeper with the wet mopping pads for those spills, but I haven't repurchased them in a few months. I don't know if they are really needed if you're cleaning up after messes as soon as they happen. I've also learned that if you diligently clean spills right away, you're floor will remain looking fresh and clean. This will save you time in the long run, because then you don't have to constantly deep clean your floors.
Deep Cleaning & Added Shine
A couple times a month I want to get a deeper clean and polished shine, and I use my Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner. This stuff is amazing! Plus, it's GreenGuard Gold certified, meaning it's environmentally friendly and is even considered safe for sensitive individuals making it acceptable to use in schools and healthcare facilities. Knowing that, it makes me feel good about using it in my own home.
First, I'll sweep or vacuum the floors. Then, I'll put a dry rag on my Swiffer Sweeper, spray a light mist of the floor cleaner, and go over my entire floor. I have read reviews of people who say if you use too much it will leave a film on your floor. I personally haven't had this problem. You really don't need to use a ton anyway, as a little goes a long way.
If there is a hard-to-remove spot, I'll use a rag and a little more floor cleaner and scrub it out. I guess it's not really scrubbing, because you don't need a ton of elbow grease to get those tough spots out when using this cleaner. Bing, bang, boom! You've got some super-shiny hardwoods.
Do you have any helpful tips for keeping your hardwoods clean? Leave a comment!
This post contains affiliate links. This means, if you click on the link and make a purchase, I will receive commission.