4 Mistakes to Avoid When Cleaning Your Hardwood Floors

Along with their elegant appearance, hardwood floors are known for their durability. With regular cleaning and maintenance, they can last a lifetime. 

Cleaning your hardwood floors is more than just wiping up a spill or sweeping up a few crumbs. Regular, total coverage, deep cleaning is required to keep your floors in perfect condition for years to come.

But cleaning with the wrong products or using incorrect methods can cause more harm than good. Scrapes, scuffs, stains, and discoloration are all potential results of an uninformed cleaning session.

Be aware of these 4 common mistakes you should avoid when cleaning your hardwood floors:

Dragging Furniture

To clean the total surface of your hardwood floors, you may need to temporarily rearrange furniture. This allows you to get all the little dust bunnies hiding under your couch or TV stand.

However, this task can have potentially disastrous results for your floor if you make the mistake of dragging the furniture. Hard parts of the furniture are likely to dig into your hardwood floors, leaving unsightly scrapes and dents.

The good news is that hardwood floors are easy to repair, so any accidental marks you may cause can be easily fixed up. However, the cost of these repairs can add up, so it’s best to avoid this mistake altogether. 

Before cleaning your hardwood floors, be sure to team up with a friend or family member to help lift and relocate the furniture.

Using a Wet Mop

Water is a go-to cleaning agent because it doesn’t have any harsh chemicals which could cause discoloration. Certain floors, such as tile, can withstand large amounts of water without any damage.

Hardwood floors are not one of those floorings. Because it is an organic material, it is porous, which means it can absorb and store much more water than other flooring options. Over time, an excess of water seepage can cause warping, buckling, and separating floor boards.

When mopping your hardwood floors, do not soak the mop. Instead, squeeze excess water back into the bucket until the mop head is only damp. Use the least amount of water necessary to remove dirt and spills.

Using the Wrong Vacuum Attachment

Vacuuming is another cleaning chore which has the potential to cause pricey damage to your hardwood floors. 

A traditional vacuum head is composed of hard-bristled, rotating brushes. This is great for combing through coarse carpets and picking up debris, but on a hardwood flooring surface, the tough bristles are likely to scratch up your beautiful floors.

To avoid this mistake, make sure you are using a vacuum attachment designated for hardwood floors. Or, if your vacuum has a “hard floor” setting, use that. This will decrease the abrasiveness of the rotating brush and potentially save you from costly repair.

Using the Wrong Cleaning Products

Some chemicals have wonderful cleaning properties but can be too harsh for hardwood floors. For example, bleach, which can fade and break down the finish on your flooring, so it should be avoided.

It is best to use a cleaning product specifically designed for hardwood floors. If you are still unsure, you can contact the manufacturer who can give you more accurate cleaning advice. 

Once you find the right product for your floors, remember that a little goes a long way, and always read the instructions on the bottle for best results.

Hardwood Flooring Installation & Renovation Services In MD

Here at Atlas Floors Inc., we use only the highest-quality hardwood flooring. Our experienced team of consultants can help you find a unique wood species and design for your home, and our skilled installers bring that vision to life. We are the prime choice for Maryland homeowners looking for hardwood flooring that won’t break the bank. Call now!

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