Hardwood is the absolute best option anyone can go for when it comes to installing new flooring in their home or office. It’s durable, sturdy, and aesthetically pleasing, and it brings a touch of elegance to elevate any space it’s installed in. However, maintaining hardwood flooring in top shape and extending its lifespan requires proper care. From proper, professional installation to regular cleaning and maintenance, there are several important aspects to consider that any client should be aware of.
Cleaning hardwood flooring is a process that, if done properly, can prolong the longevity of the floors and protect the wood from damage. However, when done improperly, it can negatively impact the sturdiness and durability of the wood planks, so it’s important for your clients to know how they should take care of their new flooring. Below are the most important things your clients should know about properly cleaning hardwood flooring.
How do you clean hardwood floors without damaging them?
This is probably one of the most commonly asked questions among our clients here at First Atlanta Flooring. Cleaning hardwood floors is a straightforward process, and it doesn’t have to involve any expensive products or complex steps. However, it needs to be done right in order to maintain the hardwood in the best shape possible.
It’s important to regularly clean hardwood floors to avoid damage. This means sweeping weekly with a soft broom, cleaning up spills or cracks as soon as they happen, and protecting the hardwood from furniture, sharp objects, pets, or high heels with carpets and rugs. You should sweep or vacuum hardwood floors on a weekly basis, or even more often than that if there is heavy traffic or there is a lot of dust coming in from outside. It’s important to use a soft broom and a vacuum attachment that’s specifically designed to work on hardwood floors. Otherwise, aggressive sweeping or vacuuming can cause more harm than good and unnecessarily scratch the wood finish.
How do professionals clean hardwood floors?
If you want to advise your client to clean hardwood floors like a pro, instruct them to dust their floors daily, either by sweeping or using a microfibre mop. However, if there is a lot of dust, a broom won’t be as effective; a microfibre pad, on the other hand, uses static electricity and traps dirt, particles, and household allergens, so it’s the best option. Tell your client to keep the pad on the floor without lifting it, to keep the dust and particles trapped in the fibers. We recommend the Bona Pro Series Hardwood Floor Mop, which features a comfort-grip handle and a machine-washable Bona microfiber pad.
Besides daily sweeping and dusting, we recommend vacuuming on a weekly basis to clean up hard-to-reach areas where a mop can’t be as effective. But you should be careful to not allow the vacuum beater bar to hit the floor, or the wheels of the vacuum machine to damage the floor boards. It’s also crucial that you use a vacuum attachment that’s designed to be used on vacuum floors, to avoid unintentional scratching or damage.
Another way to properly do a weekly clean-up is by using a wet mop. However, excessive moisture should be avoided, or the water can infiltrate the wood and cause damage. Instead, gently spray the floors with a hardwood cleaner and use a microfiber spray mop to clean up the hardwood and remove any stains or dirt build-up.
What cleaner is best to use on hardwood floors?
Many residential clients are inclined to use natural products to clean and maintain their hardwood floors, as they believe such products work best to extend the lifespan of the natural wood. However, it’s important to never use household products on hardwood, unless you know exactly what you’re doing. Ammonia, vinegar, and other items commonly found in one’s home can damage the surface of the hardwood and cause long-term damage to the wood planks.
We recommend sticking to products specifically designed for use on hardwood flooring. This is the best way to care for hardwood and maintain its durability. Our clients enjoy using the Bona Pro Series Hardwood Floor Care Kit, which includes everything they need for easy and safe, professional-level cleaning of their hardwood floors. The kit features a durable, lightweight, microfiber mop with a telescoping pole, a 16.5’’ Bona Microfiber Dusting Pad, a 16.5’’ Bona Microfiber Cleaning Pad, and a 32-oz Bona Pro Series Hardwood Floor Cleaner.
In terms of cleaners, our favorite is the Bona Pro Series Hardwood Floor Cleaner in the spray format. This is a professional-strength, water-based cleaner formulated to clean unwaxed, polyurethane-finished wood floors. It’s also environmentally responsible and meets the U.S. EPA standards and is Safer Choice Certified, featuring ingredients that are safe for people, pets, and the environment. It’s non-flammable and leaves no dulling residue, and it’s easy to use with a microfiber mop or dusting cloth.
For more information and tips on cleaning hardwood floors or the best products to use, reach out to us at First Atlanta Flooring.
