How to Clean Old Hardwood Floors
Hardwood floors are elegant and beautiful in any home, but they come with a challenge. Maintaining these floors requires a careful cleaning routine. It’s important to know that not all hardwood floors are the same. Each type of hardwood floor requires specific care:
- Solid Wood Floors: These can be sanded and refinished multiple times, making them very durable. They are prone to water damage and scratches.
- Engineered Wood Floors: These feature a more stable foundation layer behind a veneer of actual wood. They can’t be refinished as frequently as solid wood, but they are less likely to distort.
- Old or Antique Wood Floors: These are sometimes composed of thinner boards, they might be more sensitive, needing particular caution when cleaning.
How to Clean Hardwood Floors
1. Daily and Weekly Cleaning
Daily Cleaning: you can sweep or vacuum your hardwood floors every day to keep dirt and debris from causing scratches on the surface. Use a soft-bristle broom or a vacuum with a hard floor option that disables the brush roll. Particular attention should be paid to areas with heavy activity, like hallways and entryways.
Weekly Cleaning: For weekly cleaning, to prevent the wood floors from swelling, do not soak the flooring with water. Use a moist microfiber mop instead, as it consumes less water and efficiently collects dirt. Warm water mixed with a tiny bit of dish soap makes an excellent cleaning solution. This mixture works well on wood, but also works well on dirt.
2. Deep Cleaning
Even with routine cleaning, dirt can accumulate over time, especially on older flooring. For thorough cleaning:
- Soap and Water Solution: mix one-eighth cup dish soap with one gallon of water. This mixture works well for cutting through debris and bringing back the original shine of the wood. But don’t use vinegar—it will erode the finish and perhaps harm the wood in the long run.
- Scrubbing Technique: When dealing with stubborn grime, use a soft hand sponge to scrub small sections of the floor. This method is particularly useful for older wood floors that accumulate dirt in the cracks. Rinse the sponge frequently in the cleaning solution to avoid spreading dirt around.
How to Maintain Hardwood Floors
1. Preventing Damage
Use Mats and Rugs: You can shield your hardwood floors from filth, water, and scratches by placing doormats at doorways and rugs in high-traffic areas. To avoid mishaps, make sure the rugs and mats have non-slip backings.
Furniture Pads: When moving furniture, place felt pads under the legs to protect the flooring from scratches. Check these pads frequently and replace them as necessary.
Quick Cleanup of Spills: Fluids are the deadliest enemy of a hardwood floor. In order to keep the wood from absorbing moisture and warping and staining, spills should be cleaned up quickly.
2. Dealing with Scratches
Scratches are unavoidable, particularly in houses with lots of foot activity or pets. Here is how to deal with them:
- Surface Scratches: To fill in and blend surface scratches, use a stain marker or a wax stick from a wood furniture touch-up kit. These are simple-to-use gadgets that can help hide small scratches.
- Deeper Scratches: You might need to use fine-grit sandpaper to sand the area if there is more significant damage. Following sanding, stain the wood with a complementary color and add a coat of polyurethane to bring back the sheen.
3. Recoating and Refinishing
Over time, the finish on hardwood floors will wear down, leaving the wood vulnerable to damage. When this happens, it’s time to recoat or refinish the floors:
- Recoating: This involves applying a new coat of finish over the existing one. Recoating does not require sanding, making it a quicker and less invasive process. It helps to restore the floor’s luster and adds a protective layer to extend the life of the finish.
- Refinishing: Hardwood floor refinishing is a more intensive process that involves sanding down the floors to remove the old finish and any deep scratches or stains. This is followed by applying a new stain and several coats of finish. While more labor-intensive, refinishing can make old floors look like new again.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can I Use Vinegar to Clean My Hardwood Floors?
No, it’s not recommended to use vinegar on hardwood floors (hardwood flooring contractor’s advice). Vinegar is acidic and can ruin the finish over time, potentially causing damage to the wood. Use a mild soap and water solution for deep cleaning.
2. How Often Should I Clean My Hardwood Floors?
Dust and debris should be regularly (daily) removed from your hardwood floors by sweeping or vacuuming. Also, every week there should be a more thorough cleaning that includes wiping with a damp microfiber mop.
4. Can I Use a Steam Mop on My Hardwood Floors?
Generally speaking, using a steam mop on hardwood floors is not advised. Tiny gaps and cracks that the steam can enter can cause warping and moisture damage. For routine cleaning, use a moist microfiber mop instead.
5. How Can I Prevent My Hardwood Floors from Getting Streaks After Cleaning?
Use a microfiber mop or cloth to dry the floor after mopping in order to eliminate any residual moisture.
6. What Should I Do If My Hardwood Floors Start to Look Dull/Lose their shine?
If the appearance of your floors becomes dull, it might be time for a recoating/refinishing.
7. How Can I Protect My Hardwood Floors from Pet Hair and Scratches?
Vacuum your floors frequently with a vacuum attachment made for pet hair or one intended for hard flooring to help manage pet hair. Think about putting carpets in the areas your pets spend the most time in to prevent scratches. Another way to lessen the chance of scratches for your pet is to keep their nails clipped.