It is the dream of every house-owner to have a clean and decorated household. Floors are the most used aspect of any household, and keeping them clean becomes a huge task.
People who have hardwood floors in their house are very well-known for this fact. A dirty hardwood floor would spoil the essence and beauty of the house. Taking care of the house in different ways would keep the hardwood floor completely clean.
Too much debris and dust can make the floor dull. If you do not know how to clean the hardwood floor, here are some of the easiest ways.
Testing the Hardwood Floor
The first thing you need to know on how to clean the hardwood floor is to know the floor.
There are two types of hardwood floors that are unfinished and finished.
The hardwood floor you have in your house would decide the kind of cleaning technique you will adopt.
If your house is an old one, then the house mostly has unfinished floors, while the newer ones will have finished hardwood floors. The finished floors may either have a polyurethane coating or an oil-based coating. In case you are unsure of the type of floor you have, you can test it easily.
All you need to do is drop a little water on the floor. If the water gets absorbed in the floor fast, then it is unfinished. On the other hand, if the water stays on the floor without getting absorbed, it is finished.
Cleaning Finished Hardwood Floors Using Vinegar
One of the oldest ways to clean hardwood floors is by using vinegar. Vinegar is generally used to clean dirt in most areas. It is equally very effective for cleaning finished hardwood floors. You will need white vinegar, warm water, a sponge mop, and a brush with a soft bristle for this method.
Step 1
To begin, you will first have to clean the floor using a soft brush. If you do not have a soft brush, you can use a broom or electrostatic mop to sweep the floor. This is done to get rid of the dust that is generally present on your floor.
Step 2
Once done, take the warm water bucket and add the white vinegar to it. For a couple of gallons, you can use a couple of capfuls of the vinegar. Make sure you mix this solution properly.
Step 3
Take a new sponge to clean your hardwood floor. If you are using an old sponge, ensure that the sponge has not been exposed to harmful chemicals. Chemical residue on the sponge can damage your hardwood floor.
Step 4
Dip the mop in the vinegar-water solution and wring it completely before you start the mopping process. If you do not wring the sponge properly, the excess water can delaminate the hardwood floor finish.
Step 5
Wring out the extra water and mop your hardwood floor continuously. You do not have to put excessive pressure; however, give enough pressure that the dirt comes off. After you are done cleaning, switch on the fan. The floor will air-dry soon, revealing a perfect polished hardwood floor.
You can go with this cleaning method daily or twice every week. Depending on the kind of dirt your floor as you will need to repeat the method. Do not over-expose your floors to vinegar as it might damage the finish.
Cleaning Unfinished Hardwood Floors
Unfinished hardwood floors are quite hard to clean with water since it gets absorbed very easily. To clean unfinished hardwood floors, you will need a dust mop. Use the dust mop to sweep the floor daily. Since you cannot use water regularly, you will have to sweep daily to eradicate the dust.
It is necessary to clean unfinished floors every day so that the dust does not build-up. For a deep clean, you can use a damp cloth of micro-fiber material. You can then use a microfiber cloth, which is dry to get rid of the water. Do not let the water sit on the floor for a long time.
Deep Cleaning Hardwood Floors using Cleaning Agent
Many different cleaning agents are specially designed for hardwood floors. You can get a certain type of cleaning agent, a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush and warm water.
You can use this method if you have a vacuum cleaner at home. If you are allergic to dust, then you can use a bagged vacuum cleaner. A few easy steps need to be followed to give your hardwood floors a deep clean.
Step 1
First, you will have to take a vacuum cleaner and then vacuum the floor thoroughly. This will clean the animal hair, dust, and debris from the floor to get it ready for the deep clean.
Step 2
After you have vacuumed the floor, fill a bucket with warm water. Do not fill it to the brim, only 3/4th of the bucket. Using warm water is better than using cold water since it helps in cleaning the dirt much easier.
Step 3
You can then add the cleaning agent that you have chosen for your floor. Follow the instructions given in the back of the cleaning agent. Make sure that the agent does not have any harmful chemicals in it. Read the ingredients to know if they are fit for your hardwood floor.
There are many cleaning agents in current times that do not serve their actual purpose. Avoid choosing products that are very cheap and not from a well-known brand. It is better to invest in a good brand that will keep your hardwood floors as good as new.
Step 4
Take a mop and dip it in the water-soap mixture to clean the hardwood floor. The mop should not have water dripping from it. Wring the mop properly and then clean the floor.
Summing Up
These are some of the easiest tips on how to clean the hardwood floor. The main trick is not to expose your floor to too much water. Sweep and dry mop your floor daily, like with any other floor type. Use the right cleaning agent when doing a deep cleaning so that the chemical may not harm the floor.
Thank you for reading!