Tuesday, May 8, 2012

How to clean a hardwood floor

How to clean and what cleaner to use to clean my hardwood floor is a very popular question I am asked.

Hardwood floors are very easy to take care of and maintain.  Before you use a cleaner you'll want to sweep up the loose dirt, or you could use a dust microfiber mop or a soft bristle attachment on a vacuum.  Next using a microfiber cloth lightly spray the floor with your chosen cleaner and wipe it.  That's all there is to it.  I recommend a dry dust mop daily and using the cleaner only when needed such as only once a week or every other week depending on the use of your floor.

The cleaner I really like and use on my own floors is called Glitsa Clean.  I like it for the following reasons: 
•  Water based formula
•  Neutral pH
•  Fresh scent
•  Leaves no residue
•  Biodegradable
•  Contains no phosphates
•  No rinsing required
•  Recyclable container
And it works well.  You can buy a quart of it for around $10 in concentrated form.  You dilute it with water and this will last you well over a year.  You can also get from Glitsa a nice microfiber mop to use with it.

Now some main points to keep your floors looking good for years to come.
Use walk off mats at entryway doors, make sure the mat has a natural backing such as wool or felt.
Ladies do not wear spike heals.  I've seen many a floor damaged from spike heels.
Dust mop regularly.
Do not use waxes, oils, or refresher products on your floors.  These products will alter the finish of your floor risking the success of a future maintenance coat and a lot of the times ruins the look of the floor.
Apply a maintenance coat to your floor approximately every 5-10 years, depending on usage.
Use felt protectors on chair and table legs to prevent scratching of the finish.
DO NOT USE STEAM CLEANERS




No comments:

Post a Comment