Seals form a barrier between the wood and liquids or abrasions. Materials commonly used to seal hardwood floors today include urethane, polyacrylic, and polyurethane. It’s important to keep in mind, oil treated or untreated floors require special care. When you seal a floor, however, the cleaner comes into contact with the seal, not the wood..
Keeping dust particles off of floors will keep dirt from getting ground into the finish. Removing spills and treating stains instantly will keep deep stains from penetrating the finish and the wood. Using an auto floor sweeper once a week, or more often in high traffic areas, will keep hardwood floors from requiring more intense cleaning as often.
Put floor protectors on the legs of furniture to prevent scratches when scooting or from weight.
Place mats near all entryways to prevent dirt and water from being tracked inside.
Avoid wearing heels on the
wood floors.
Keep indoor pets’ nails trimmed.
In many cases, water is the strongest cleaner that you will need to use on your hardwood floor. Avoid “home remedies” using lemon juice, vinegar, ammonia, and other acidic ingredients that can be just as harmful to your finish as some chemicals. Never leave hardwood floors wet. Use a soft cloth to dry up puddles and pick up remaining moisture. Never use products with wax that can build up and dull your hardwood floor.
Use tools that are made specifically for use on hardwood floors. A Clarke floor sweeper designed for use on wood surfaces is ideal for cleaning large areas. Microfiber mops are soft and they hold onto dirt that could be moved around with regular mops, leading to scratches. Dusting and damp mopping are better options than vacuuming with a traditional upright that could damage the floor’s surface.
Some liquids can permeate the floor’s finish over time if
they aren’t cleaned up immediately.
For stubborn spills, use a 50/50 bleach and water mixture that you leave on the stained area just until the stain fades. Rinse with water and dry.
Products with wax may look great after the first application, but the wax will build up over time and begin to look not so shiny. An auto floor sweeper with the appropriate buffing pad can bring a new shine to old wood floors. Use two teabags and boiling water to create a brew that will make hardwood floors shine naturally.
Many products made to clean hardwood floors contain chemicals that are actually harmful to your floors, children, pets, and the environment. Look for “green” cleaning products that are safe. Today’s new eco-friendly products are made to be effective without the harmful effects of traditional cleaners.
Performance Systems Janitorial Supply is a trusted resource for auto floor sweepers, scrubbers, and a variety of janitorial supplies and parts to keep floors clean at
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Sources • http://www.today.com/home/how-cleanhardwood-floors-101-2D12054704 • http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/besttips-for-cleaning-hardwood-floors-199663
Summary Prevention is the best way to care for hardwood floors. Keeping dust and grit off of the floor by dusting or sweeping can prevent the need for more intense cleaning. For larger areas and those with heavy traffic, consider an auto floor sweeper.