Wood Floor Cleaning
Hardwood floors have now become a fashion statement and are the easiest types of flooring to keep clean if properly handled and maintained. Unlike carpet, hardwood floors require minimal maintenance, require less time and care, and are more durable. Cleaning makes the house look beautiful and spacious.
Proper sweeping of dirt, pet hair, or dust from floors with a soft-bristled broom or vacuum is suggested. To mop any hardwood floor, mix a half cup of white vinegar with a gallon of warm water. The water shouldn’t be too hot and adding white vinegar will make the hardwood floor cleaner instead of just using water. After mopping, thoroughly dry hardwood floors with a towel or dry mop.
The main thing is to clean up any moisture or liquid spills immediately, otherwise over time the protective coating, seals and floor waxes will lose effectiveness if moisture or liquid seeps into the wood. For the occasional spill, getting the liquid off the hardwood floor as quickly as possible and mopping with clean, warm water is key. To finish off the mop in the best way, use floor wax or floor polish to maintain it even more.
All floors sometimes have stains, whether they are hardwood or carpeted. A very fine steel wool can be used to remove most stains. A little alcohol can also be used to remove stains and finish off the buffing and polishing. Cleaning depends on the amount of traffic and the use of the apartment. An additional precaution required to keep floors clean is to remove shoes to reduce heel marks imprinted on the floors. If there are pets in the house, it is suggested to keep their nails trimmed to prevent the nails from scratching the floor.
Using a dehumidifier in the home also keeps the amount of shrinkage and expansion of the wood to a minimum. A humidifier keeps the relative humidity level inside the house between 45 and 65 percent.
To get a good shine on the floor it is necessary to get on your knees. To polish the floor, mix equal amounts of olive oil and white vinegar in a spray bottle, then apply a thin layer to the floor. Spray in small areas or rub solution into floors. Polishing and finishing any hardwood floor should always be left to professionals.
