Best Way to Clean Hardwood Floors

The most popular of wood floor finishes today are urethanes and polyurethanes, which protect the wood making the floor more water resistant and durable. Before you grab that bucket of water and a mop, it is best to find out how your hardwood floor is sealed, if at all. Ask the installer/builder of your home how the floors were finished. If you cannot obtain that information, it would be advisable to call a local hardwood flooring company to determine the finish.

Surface-sealed floors: Most new wood floors are sealed with urethane, polyurethane or polyacrylic. Surface-sealed floors are stain and water-damage resistant and easiest to care for and clean: Sweep, mop and you're done!

If the stain is on the surface, your floor probably has a hard finish, such as urethane. If the stain has penetrated through to the wood, the floor probably has a soft oiled finish - common in older homes whose floors have not been refinished and resealed. Wipe surface stains from a hard finish with a soft, clean cloth. Never use sandpaper, steel wool, or harsh chemicals on such a surface because they can permanently damage the finish.

Remedies for hardwood floors with soft oiled finishes

Dark spots and pet stains: Rub the spot with No. 000 steel wool and floor wax. If the area is still dark, apply bleach or vinegar and allow it to soak into the wood for about an hour. Rinse with a damp cloth.

Oil-base stains: Rub the area with a soft cloth and dishwashing detergent to break down the grease. Rinse with clear water. If one or more applications don't work, repeat the procedure. Keep children and pets out of the room until you're done. Let the spot dry, then smooth the raised grain with fine sandpaper.

Water marks or white stains: Rub the spot with No. 000 steel wool and floor wax. If the stain goes deeper, lightly sand the floor and clean with fine steel wool and odorless mineral spirits.

You can speed up the cleaning process by first dusting the floor with a dusting agent to pick up dust, dirt, and pet hair that might scratch the floor surface. For weekly or biweekly cleaning, vacuum with a floor-brush attachment on a vacuum cleaner or an electric broom. Do not use a vacuum with a beater bar attachment, which can scratch a wood floor's finish. For quick dusting, use disposable electrostatic cloths.

Cleaning Surface-Sealed Floors

Don't use straight ammonia, alkaline products or abrasive cleaners. They'll dull or scratch the finish.

Do use a floor-cleaning product recommended by the floor finisher or opt for plain soap and water.

Don't rely on water alone or a vinegar and water solution to clean hardwood floors. This method of cleaning has lost its flavor and the popular belief is that this type of solution causes floors to dull more quickly and it not as effective as simple soap and water.