Whether newly installed or over 100 years old, hardwood floors are the pride and joy of your home. On the other hand, learning how to clean hardwood floors requires a bit of care and consideration to avoid the dreaded scratches, stains, and—dare we say it—water damage.
Thankfully, the job isn’t as tricky as it sounds. Once you find the best hardwood cleaners and tools for your unique floors, it's easy to get into a rhythm that will keep your floors as clean as the rest of your home.
Prepping to Clean Your Hardwood Floors
You—or whoever owned your house before you—invested a pretty penny in the cost of installing hardwood floors. Take some time to get to know the floors you're cleaning and whether they have any noticeable scratches, stains, or signs of damage. You'll want to take extra care around these areas and consider bringing in a hardware floor pro.
Next, gather your cleaning supplies and choose a wood-safe cleaner for the job. What should you use to clean hardwood floors? There are plenty of store-bought commercial cleaners that do the job well. For the most part, avoid cleaners that do not specify hardwood floors or ones that promise to enhance the color or wax your floors. Simple is best.
And while you can make a DIY floor cleaner, be wary of anything with an extreme pH such as vinegar to avoid damaging the finish. "The safest way to remove stuck-on dirt and grime from your hardwood floors is to utilize a non-abrasive, pH-neutral cleaning solution with a lightly damp string mop," says Asya Biddle, Expert Review Board member and manager of The Dust Busters janitorial company in Williamsport, PA.
Always test a small inconspicuous area before cleaning the whole floor if you do. And remember: Hardwood floors are not quite the same as cleaning vinyl plank floors that simply resemble wood and require special care to avoid damage.
Remove Dirt and Dust
The best way to clean hardwood floors is removing all the grit that could scratch your floors during the mopping process. Pass over the room with a soft-bristled broom or microfiber mop designed to attract and trap dust. Use this opportunity to check again for any floor damage, such as chair leg scratches or color changes from the sun.
Vacuum
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Sweeping is all well and good for an initial pass, but we recommend making another go with the vacuum before cleaning hardwood floors with a mop. Avoid using the beater bar feature and check the wheels of your vacuum before starting to ensure you do not scratch the floors. Some vacuum models will also specify if they are ideal for hardwood floors, so keep an eye out for this feature if you're in the market.
Prep a Damp Mop
You have your pick of viral social media mops these days, but any mop with soft strings or a microfiber attachment will do. Combine water and the proper proportions of wood-safe cleaner in a bucket and wet your mop. Now—and this is perhaps the most important step—wring out the mop so the strings or pad are no longer dripping wet. While you can use soap and water on hardwood floors, it's important to avoid standing water on your floors.
Mop the Floors
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It's time to go ahead and get mopping. Mop the area behind you as you move so as to not mop yourself into a literal corner. Keep your eye out for standing water, and if you do spot a puddle forming, use your dry microfiber mop to pick up the excess. Be sure to rinse your mop in your bucket when it runs dry.
Shine Your Floors (Optional)
While it's by no means necessary every time you clean your hardwood floors, add a wood polish product one to three times a year. Yet again, look for a polish specifically for wood floors and take note of the typical drying time and whether it requires significant ventilation. After following the dilution instructions, use a new microfiber mop head to polish the floors, moving in the direction of the wood grain as you go.
Allow the Floors to Dry
If you live in a humid area, break out the fans and pop on the AC to help the floors dry more quickly. Additionally, avoid putting rugs back in place until you're certain the floors are dry.
Tips for Keeping Your Hardwood Floors Clean
There's no need to perform this deep clean more than once or twice a week, depending on how much traffic goes through your home each day. Keep your hardwood floors clean in the meantime by doing the following:
Sweeping up on a daily basis
Removing your shoes just inside the door
Cleaning your dog's paws after a walk
Placing a trackpad outside your cat's litter box
Vacuuming area rugs regularly
Cleaning your floors after you clean higher areas throughout the room
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
There will always be a small learning curve when learning how to clean your hardwood floors. Still, you'll pay less than $25 for the cost of hardwood cleaning supplies, which is much lower than the average professional home cleaning cost of $170.
That being said, hiring a local floor cleaner will take the guesswork out of cleaning hardwood properly, especially if you're concerned about having to refinish your hardwood floors sooner than you'd like.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can mop hardwood floors with a damp flat or string mop as long as it is not soaking wet. Always avoid leaving standing water or fully soaking your hardwood floors, even if they are properly finished. A slightly wet mop, with or without cleaning solutions, will not damage the wood.
It’s best to avoid the following on hardwood floors:
Bleach or ammonia-based products
Furniture cleaners
Glass cleaners
Cleaners with any abrasive elements
Large amounts of water
Abrasive brushes and tools
Products that promise to "renew" your floors
Gentle solutions and cleaning products are best for hardwood floors no matter their finish. If you opt for acidic products like diluted vinegar, only apply to floors with a strong finish that can protect the wood beneath, and do not use them on a regular basis.
Clean your hardwood floors with a soft broom or flat mop about once a week to remove dirt and grit. Focus on high-traffic areas and areas just inside the major entryways twice a week. Deep clean your floors with water and a cleaning solution about once every two months.
Protect hardwood floors in the kitchen by refinishing your floors every five to seven years or having them evaluated by a local specialist. Place mats around common food prep areas like the counter and island and keep up with treating water or grease stains as soon as they occur. Hardwood floors add a classic, rustic element of style to kitchens, but it does make them more susceptible to water damage and grease stains.
