Wood floors in your home or office
Most people have hardwood floors in their home. They can come in different colors, be laminate, glossy or matte, but one thing stays the same, they get dirty fast.
Wood floors require a lot of work to keep up their appearance, and if left neglected for too long, you will end up needing a paste wax service for your hardwood flooring.
Five Steps Routine to clean a hardwood floor
1. Sweep the rooms with a broom
The first thing that any person wants to do is have to clean their vacuum out from the excessive dust and pet hair every time they clean with it. If you have not been consistently cleaning your floors, a quick sweep of the floor surface with a broom can go a long way and may even cut your time while cleaning.
Broom options
A regular $5 dollar broom from Walmart can get the job done the same as the $40 dollar one you saw on Instagram. Make sure to clean the bristles often, so you do not end up spreading the dirt all over.
2. Vacuum your hardwood floors
After you have a swept the floor, start vacuuming. A good vacuum for your hardwood floors is probably the most important part for cleaning hardwood floors.
Option for vacuum
The Dyson Cordless Vacuum has been getting a lot of popularity all over the world because of how easy it is to use. The biggest pro of this device is the fact that it does not need to be plugged in while cleaning. The charge holds up to about 40 minutes, depending on the suction speed used. The newest type of the Dyson also has pet hair attachments, making the job a lot easier for pet owners.
Alternatives to a regular vacuum
Another popular alternative to a regular vacuum has been the iRobot self vacuum. It is a round shaped device that gets charge from its station and can be turned on through its own app or be connected to the Amazon Alexa for voice directions. It also can come with an option to self empty in a box that can be cleaned a lot less often, because we all know how time consuming it can be to clean out the filter all the time. Its run time is about 2 hours with a full charge. This device is great for people with one floor homes or apartments, as the device does not yet have the technology to climb stairs.
Learn more about best vacuum steam cleaners
3. Dry mopping
Using dry mop is another technique you can use instead of vacuuming. All you have to do is get a clean mop that is dry and clean the floors as you would with a damp mop, shaking the mop over a trash can every once in a while to make sure you are not spreading the dirt all over the floors again.
Options
You can also consider buying a dust mop, which is a regular mop that has thick microfiber bristles to pick up the dust from your wood floors.
4. Damp mopping
As much as nobody likes to do it, cleaning wood floors require you to mop. A good microfiber mop and cleaning solution is the key to have a nice shine on your hardwood flooring. There are lots of mop options on the market starting at about $20 dollars that will clean your floor just as good as an expensive version of a microfiber mop.
Check our research about steam mops and floor steam cleaners
How to mop
You will need a bucket of water and a cleaning solution to dip the mop into once in a while. Start by cleaning from the furthest side 0f the room that will not be touched and go along the perimeter of the floor. Always rinse between switching to different rooms, so your cloth will not spread the dirt picked up from the other room. You can also mist certain areas of your wood flooring if you are not cleaning the whole room; do not try to heavy mist the area because the floor might get sticky.
Always avoid leaving standing water on your floor, and excess water on the mop as it will create water damage on the floor and even make them look dull.
Do not try to use baking soda, dish detergent, or vinegar to clean your floors. It is an old method used when the market did not have good choices to clean hardwood floors and is prove to make your floor look dull.
Options for a wet mop
The iRobot company also made a damp mop version of their self vacuum cleaner. It is called the Braava jet, and is able to mop tiles, hardwood floors, as well as stone. Their latest model has a voice assistant integration, so you will be able to tell your Alexa or Google device to start a mop job in a specific area of your home. This robot mop also comes with a Jet Spray that shoots out of the device as it cleans and helps break up sticky messes.
The kit comes with the robot mop, a charging dock, two single use wet and dry mopping pads, 1 washable wet mopping pad and a 4 oz sample cleaning solution. You are advised to buy only the cleaning product provided by the iRobot brand, so if you do not think you would always buy from the brand, try reconsidering a self cleaning mop product.
5. Steam cleaning of hardwood floors
Steam cleaners have become a big part of cleaning and sanitizing hardwood floors in people's routines. The biggest pro of using dry steam cleaning is the ability of it to kill 99 percent of bacteria, viruses, and germs on the floor. The dry steam lets out hot vapor that is attached to a mop, so you can steam clean hardwood floors with ease.
How to perform steam cleaning
- Preheating the steam cleaner: Begin by preheating the steam cleaner according to the manufacturer's instructions. This usually involves plugging in the steam cleaner and allowing it to heat up for a few minutes.
- Glide the steam mop: Once the steam cleaner is preheated, attach a microfiber cloth to the mop head. Start by gliding the steam mop along the hardwood floors. The microfiber cloth will retain excess moisture and attract dirt and grime with its high heat temperature.
- Rinse the microfiber cloth: As the microfiber cloth accumulates dirt, rinse it in water to remove the dirt and grime. You can repeat this process whenever the cloth becomes too dirty.
- Repeat the cleaning process: Continue gliding the steam mop along the hardwood floors, making sure to cover the entire area. Repeat the process of rinsing the microfiber cloth as needed. This will ensure thorough cleaning and sanitization.
- Target stubborn stains: If there are stubborn stains on the hardwood floors, you can use a no harsh chemicals cleaning product by adding it to the water in the steam cleaner. Alternatively, you can use a spray bottle to target specific areas of the wood floor with the cleaning solution.
- Achieving the ultimate shine: For an extra shine, you can combine a wood floor cleaner with the steam cleaner. This can help enhance the appearance of the hardwood floors and leave them looking clean and polished.
Option for a hardwood floor steam cleaner
The Fortador Volt Mini is a light weight steam cleaner that weighs only 16.5 lbs, allowing the consumer to easily operate it in their home. It heats up in about five minutes, so you will not wasting your time designated for cleaning. Unlike many other small steamers on the market. the Volt Mini works at high pressure and temperature, with 101 psi power and maximum temperature of steam at 338 degrees Fahrenheit. It is also made of steel, so this steam cleaner will be sure to last you a while.
Check our guide for furniture steam cleaning efficient
The steam cleaner also comes with accessories and attachments (including a steam mop) that will make your time consuming cleaning a lot faster. You will get a selection of microfiber cloths, a spray bottle set, as well as scrubbing pads. You can add a no harsh chemicals cleaning product to your water whenever you need to tackle dry steam clean hardwood floors with stains or use the spray bottle to target only certain area of the wood floor. You can also try combining a wood floor cleaner with your steam cleaner to achieve the ultimate shine.
Potential risks and take precautions
- Heat Sensitivity: Test the steam cleaner in an inconspicuous area or consult with a professional before using it on heat-sensitive finishes. Consider alternative cleaning methods if the finish is at risk of heat damage.
- Delicate Wood Species: Take extra care when steam cleaning delicate wood species. Consult the manufacturer's guidelines or seek professional advice to determine the best cleaning method for these types of floors.
- Water Damage: Avoid excessive moisture by following the manufacturer's instructions, using the steam cleaner sparingly, and ensuring proper drying after cleaning.
Clean wood floors = consistent clean routine
No matter how you decide to clean your wood floors, a routine will help your hardwood floor stay clean. Always remember to vacuum or sweep before damp mopping.
If you just get your new hardwood floors check our guide for post construction cleaning.