Cleaning something as valuable as hardwood can be intimidating, especially if you're not sure how to varnish it. To clean hardwood floors without damaging the varnish, follow these steps.
Step
Step 1. Sweep the floor with a soft-bristled broom
This will remove large particles such as sand or gravel that can scratch the floor if found under the mop. Alternatively, you can vacuum the floor with the bristles extended to prevent scratching and leaving only fine dust on the floor.
Step 2. Determine what type of hardwood varnish your floor has
Half-varnished floors are easiest to spot, as each plank has a beveled edge. If the surface is not glossy, you have a stained or unvarnished floor. Glossy floors are the most difficult to distinguish. To test your floor for wax, dampen very fine steel wool and rub it on an inconspicuous area; If light gray stains appear on the coir, you have wax varnish. To test if you have an old or modern finish, put a few drops of water on the most worn areas of the floor; If the water droplets stay in shape after a few minutes, you likely have a modern finish, but if the water seems to soak in or darken the wood, you may have an older finish or poorly varnished wood that needs to be handled gently.
- Most new floors on the surface have been coated with polyurethane, urethane, or layer polyacrylic, all of which are water and stain resistant and therefore easy to clean.
- Older floors that have never been varnished usually have varnish shellac, lacquer, or varnish, and while these varnishes are also technically “surface coatings,” they are not as durable as more modern varnishes; For the purpose of this article, these varnishes will be included under the “other” category with flooring not varnished and wax coated.
- Even though the floor half varnished coated with a durable surface coating, the fact that each board is coated separately (as opposed to pressing against each other when installed) means the uncoated shards between the boards are susceptible to water damage; for this reason, semi-varnished floors are also included in the “other” category.
- When in doubt, choose a gentler method; Hardwood flooring is not something you want to experiment with.
Step 3. Clean the floor as necessary
While you must sweep and/or vacuum regularly to keep floors free of dust and scratching agents, you should clean your hardwood only when it needs cleaning. This will prolong the service life of your flooring.
Method 1 of 2: Hardwood Varnished with Modern Surface Coating
Step 1. Choose the right cleaning agent
For general cleaning, choose a water-based cleaner with a neutral pH; For example, cleaners designed for vinyl floors with an acrylic finish are pH neutral and very gentle. To dissolve oil and dirt, choose a water-based alkaline cleaner; soap, detergent, or a little baking soda diluted in water will work, although you should note that the alkaline solution will cause your varnish to fade over time. To dissolve lime or mineral water deposits, choose a water-based acid cleaner; White vinegar in water will make a good rinsing agent for this effect. Ask a home supply store for more information on specific hardwood cleaning products.
Do not use bleach, ammonia, harsh cleaners, or anything that will leave a residue (eg oil, furniture spray, wax). Not only will this damage the hardwood, but some will even void the warranty on your flooring
Step 2. Dissolve the cleaning agent of your choice in a bucket of water
To avoid limewater appearing, you may want to purchase distilled water, which can be purchased cheaply at your local supermarket.
Step 3. Take off your shoes
This will prevent you from leaving traces or soiling the floor while it is still wet.
Step 4. Mop your floor
- Dip the mop in a bucket of cleaning agent dissolved in water.
- Mop the floor with wood grain. Refill the bucket if the solution is too dirty.
Step 5. Clean the hard area with a rag
Dip a washcloth in the cleaning solution and rub over the stain with your hands to apply more directed pressure.
Step 6. Use a mop to absorb excess liquid from the floor
Squeeze the mop dry, rub the mop on the wet floor until it is saturated, and repeat until the floor is dry enough. Don't delay this step: although modern surface coatings are waterproof, they will not tolerate being wet for a long time. When you're done, rinse the mop and refill the bucket with clear water.
Step 7. Rinse the floor with a clean mop
This will remove streaky or dull traces from your cleaning solution.
Step 8. Dry the floor with a rag (optional)
You can also use the squeezed mop method to dry the floor.
Method 2 of 2: All Other Hardwoods
Step 1. Fill the bucket with water
To avoid limewater appearing, you may want to purchase distilled water, which can be purchased cheaply at your local supermarket.
Step 2. Take off your shoes
This will prevent you from leaving traces or soiling the floor when you clean.
Step 3. Clean the floor with a slightly dampened mop
Dip the mop in a bucket of water, wring out the mop completely, and mop the floor with wood grain. As long as you can squeeze the water out of the mop with your hands, the mop is still too wet to use. Wash the mop frequently during cleaning and refill the bucket if the water gets too dirty.
Step 4. Clean the tough areas with a rag and a touch of mineral spirit without odor
Although mineral spirits are too strong for regular use, they can be a good way to remove stains like water stains. Make sure to test the mineral spirit on an unseen area first.
Step 5. Dry the floor with a rag (optional)
While this will give a nice sheen, there should be almost no moisture on the floor, which means you can allow the moisture to evaporate on its own.
Tips
- If you notice a scratch on your floor, don't panic. Pick up wood repair kits suitable for your hardwood from your local hardware store as well as some floor wax. Using this tool, very carefully paint streaks along the wood grain. Allow the paint to dry before waxing with a paint brush until it matches the softness of the surrounding floorboards.
- When guests arrive, lay a long rug on the floor in the areas that are most frequently passed. This elegant rug is both stylish and functional, saving the floor from the trauma of high heels and heavy shoes that can leave dents. If you prefer not to use a long rug, consider at least installing a floor mat near an exterior entrance. This will catch almost any dirt from guests that could be left on the floor, making partying a little easier in your home.
- Ask a flooring specialist if your hardwood requires waxing or polishing. This procedure keeps your floor radiant and shiny, although it will also become a little slippery for a few days afterward. Always polish in a circular direction starting from one corner of the room, working all the way to the exit. This also applies to the installation of candles; After completing the treatment, avoid walking on the floor for at least thirty minutes to an hour.
