Easy hardwood maintenance tips
Published: August 11, 2016
Indianapolis hardwood flooring store, Kermans talks to customers every day about the pros and cons of hardwood flooring. One of the most frequent issues raised by shoppers? Hardwood floor cleaning. Many people think that hardwood floor care is difficult or time consuming. In fact, hardwood floor care is fairly simple. Here are a few tips to keep your hardwood floor beautiful for years to come.
Common hardwood floor cleaning questions & answers
Can I vacuum my hardwood floor?
A vacuum is an excellent way to remove the dirt and fine debris that can accumulate between your hardwood planks. Use an attachment that is specially designed for hard surface floors. If you don’t have a floor brush, turn off the rotating brush so that the bristles don’t scratch your floor.
What hardwood floor cleaner is best?
Actually none at all! Never wet-mop a wood floor. Avoid hardwood cleaning products such as Murphy’s Oil Soap, Old English, wax or conditioners as they can dull your hardwood floor’s finish. If you have a high traffic area or stain that can’t be handled with a damp cloth, use the hardwood floor cleaning products recommended by your floor’s manufacturer. And use them sparingly – spray a small area with the cleaner and go over it with the microfiber mop to pick up the dissolved dirt. Work your way around the floor, cleaning one area at a time.
What should I do with spills or scuffs?
Blot any moisture spilled on your hardwood floor immediately with a clean, absorbant cloth. Follow up with a damp paper towel to remove any residue and then buff dry with another clean cloth. When you see a scuff, buff it out with your sock or a clean, fuzzy tennis ball will often erase it.
Bonus tips for pet owners with hardwood floors
- Keep pet nails trimmed so they don’t scratch the floor
- Consider lighter colored hardwoods as they don’t show scratches, pet hair and dander as easily as darker floors
- Avoid a glossy finish
- Clean up pet messes asap – the acid in pet urine can damage your hardwood finish if it remains in contact for too long
- Put mats under water bowls and litter boxes
