The floor’s finish affects how you go about cleaning a hardwood floor. Floors with a polyurethane finish have been sealed to keep it shiny, free from scratches, and to protect it from water damage. Using a damp mop to remove whatever light film of dust is on a hardwood floor is one of the best procedures in cleaning a hardwood flooring which is coated with polyurethane affordably.
But, as stated, it is important that you steer clear of soapy water as this strips away the protective layer which protects the floor from scratches. Be very careful if you do decide to clean a floor in this way, since you may accidentally scratch the floor with the metal parts of the mop which can also strip the coating and damage the floor. The wonderful thing about polyurethane floors is it is very easy to clean and maintain, so long as you don’t scratch or damage the sealant.
Cleaning hardwood floors with a Wax or Oil Finish
If you’re looking for a more ‘traditional’ method in cleaning hardwood floors, you can also opt for polishing with the use of oils or waxes. Polishing is the best way to maintain hardwood floors, but it usually comes after a light sweeping to remove dust and other particles. As a note, on how to clean hardwood floors with polish or oils – never mop these floors as you normally would!
Traditionally finished hardwood floors often have a light finish of wax or oil unlike modern ones, which are sealed, with polyurethane which protects them from water damage. Use only the polish, which is best, suited for your floor’s finish. Some modern hardwood flooring’ shine is best brought out by synthetic waxes, although some individuals who prefer a more old-fashioned method in ways on cleaning a hardwood floor and maintain them still swear by beeswax or ambergris as the only kind of wax good enough to protect and nourish hardwood floors.
Another means on cleaning your floor on a more traditional manner is in using natural oils such as sunflower, sesame, or teak oils, which not only, gives your hardwood floors excellent shine, but protect them from dust, scratches, and water damage, as well. If you’re unsure about how to go about cleaning your hardwood finish with a wax or polish, you can start by applying wax or oil in small areas until you cover the whole floor. While this method of cleaning your floor may be time-consuming, it is nevertheless the most religiously advocated by purists as it is unbeatable when it comes to shine and luster that it gives to your floor.
How to Clean Hardwood Floors with a Buff
You can also clean your hardwood floors with a buff. The buff may be as simple as a coarse cloth daubed with a little bit of wax or oil, or, better yet, the half husk of a coconut. The latter is the most common means of how to clean a hardwood floor in some Asian countries as it strips off dirt while polishing it at the floor at the same time. Regularly buffing a hardwood floor ensures that the layer of wax or oil is always evenly distributed and absorbed by the wood, thus providing that unbeatable luster and shine reminiscent of old manses and gothic manors.
Further Notes on How to Clean Hardwood Floors and Maintain Them
Because scratches are an absolute no-no for hardwood floors, especially parquet floors and traditional solid hardwood floors, stand vacuums, mops, trolleys, and other household appliances or items which might scratch the wood should never be allowed to touch the wood’s surface. To protect your hardwood floor from scratches and retain the functionality without having to fear accidents, you can always invest in a carpet which not only reduces damages, but helps lessen the frequency of cleaning!
The methods on how to clean hardwood floors may require some hard work, especially if you do it traditionally, but the inimitable results are more than rewarding.
