How to Clean Hardwood Floors

Hardwood floors bring an earthy, warm beauty to your home. They’re durable and, with proper care, last for decades. You can keep your hardwood floors looking lovely by following these tips on how to clean hardwood floors.

Dust mopping won’t remove the dirt and grime that build up over time. For periodic deep cleaning, you’ll need to use a liquid cleaner and be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

What is the Best Kind of Hardwood Floor Cleaner to Use?

There are plenty of recipes for homemade wood floor cleaners, including those citing the usefulness of tea as well as vinegar. But Brett Miller, vice president of technical standards, training and certification for the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA), recommends a monthly cleaning using a professional wood floor cleaning product made specifically for the finish on your floor. You can check with a flooring professional or manufacturer for a recommendation.

Steps for Cleaning a Hardwood Floor

1. Use a dust mop or vacuum to remove dirt, dust, pet hair and other debris that could scratch the floor. Don't use a vacuum with a beater bar attachment as it could damage the surface of the floor. Use the floor-brush attachment.
   
   You’ll need to do this at least once a week, depending on traffic and the number of pets and children you have.
   
   For a Monthly Deeper Clean, follow steps 2-6.
   
   
2. After using a dust mop or vacuuming the floor (without the beater bar turned on) to remove dirt, saturate a rag or sponge mop in your cleaning solution.
   
   
3. Wring it out thoroughly so the mop is damp, not wet. The NWFA advices that, when applying that cleaning product to the floor, use a damp/near dry mop as you don’t want to over-wet the floor.
   
   
4. Mop the floor with the cleaner, being careful to not put too much liquid on the floor.
   
   
5. Rinse the mop with clean water, wring out excess and then damp mop the floor to remove the cleaner.
   
   
6. Wipe up excess water with a clean, dry towel because standing water will damage the floor.

What Should You NOT Use to Clean Hardwood Floors?

Avoid using anything from the store that claims to restore luster, polish or add shine, Brett says. These types of "maintenance products" leave behind a temporary, non-protective, shiny film that will interfere with the adhesion of any future maintenance coats of professional wood floor finish, he says.

Is it OK to Mop Hardwood Floors With Water?

The NWFA cautions that wood and water don’t mix. Applying high volumes of water in any form (liquid or vapor) to a wood floor can also cause permanent damage to the wood and the finish.

Also, never use a steam mop on any real wood floor. Compared to water, steam can travel deeper and faster into and between the cracks and cells of the wood. This can permanently damage the wood and the floor’s finish.

How to Fix Scratches on a Wood Floor

Covering scratches that remain after cleaning is part of knowing how to clean a wood floor.

1. Take a crayon the color of the floor and rub it on the scratch to fill the gap.
   
   
2. Turn a blow dryer on high, heat the area where the crayon was applied and buff it with a soft cloth.

How to Prevent Damage to a Hardwood Floor

• Put door mats inside and outside exterior doors to cut down on the dirt and moisture tracked in.
  
  
• Avoid scratches by using floor protectors under furniture and putting down rugs in high-traffic areas.