Hardwood floors face various challenges every season. Winter brings snow, ice, and salt, while spring adds dirt and rain into the mix. Then during the summer, you can expect chlorine and saltwater from a pool for example, only for fall to introduce more dirt and leaves that have fallen.
Nevertheless, the beauty of wood floors is undeniable, and maintaining them is crucial. A proper maintenance routine is essential to preserve your floors for many years to come. It’s crucial to heed this advice and increase the longevity of your hardwood floors, so let’s get into it and make sure you end up with a clean hardwood floor.
Take Care of Spills Quickly
It’s crucial to use a dry or slightly damp cloth to immediately clean up any spills, avoiding wet or steam mops as they can cause more damage over time. Wood naturally swells and shrinks depending on moisture levels, so it’s important to maintain low humidity levels to prevent cupping, splitting, and gapping.
To avoid these issues, it’s best to clean spills immediately, maintain a temperature between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and keep humidity levels between 30 to 50 percent. Additionally, it’s recommended to prohibit wet shoes from entering the house to maintain cleanliness.
Daily Dusting
Dusting your hardwood floors is a crucial yet often underestimated step in maintaining a clean hardwood floor. It’s essential to dust daily to prevent dust and dirt from accumulating, which can cause scratches and reduce the floor’s lifespan. Daily dust mopping is also an effective way to reduce allergens in the home. Using a microfiber material with a static charge can be more efficient than traditional methods as the smaller fibers can reach into floor pores and lift dirt more effectively, resulting in a clean hardwood floor.
Deeper Weekly Cleaning
It’s crucial to clean hardwood floors on a regular basis to prevent the buildup of debris over time. However, it’s just as important to clean them the right way to avoid potential damage. Using a cleaner that’s specifically designed for your floor’s finish is best. Excessive liquid can harm the floors, while an incompatible formula may not work well. Look for pH-neutral, nontoxic, and biodegradable cleaning solutions that are effective and environmentally safe. Avoid using vinegar, which can damage the finish, even when diluted with water. A washable microfiber pad is an excellent tool for removing bacteria and reducing waste in landfills.
Sweeping isn’t the most effective method for cleaning hardwood floors because it spreads dust around the floor and into the air. However, if you choose to sweep, use a broom with angled soft bristles and sweep with the grain of the wood to minimize damage.
Quarterly Polishing
Polishing your hardwood floors is an excellent way to enhance their lifespan and add a brilliant shine. Before polishing, it’s important to remove loose debris by dusting or sweeping the floor. It’s recommended that you vacuum to ensure all dirt and dust are removed.
To restore luster and shine, use water-based polishes every two to three months. These polishes are preferred as they don’t leave any residue or emit harmful toxins, while also preventing overcleaning and stripping of your floor. Durable, urethane-based polishes are also an excellent choice as they have fast drying times, leave no waxy buildup, and provide a protective wear layer that fills in micro-scratches, creating an even appearance on the floor.
Cleaning Tips and Services from A 360 Cleaning
A 360 Cleaning has provided Maryland with top-notch professional cleaning and janitorial services for over 12 years. We don’t cut corners and ensure that every customer is satisfied with their cleaning. Whether you need a glitter spill cleaned up or an entire office building, we are happy to help! We currently serve the following areas: Baltimore, Annapolis, Glen Burnie, Severna Park. To explore how we can help keep your windows clean all year long, give us a call at 410-852-5800 or visit us online. For more cleaning tips, follow us on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
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