How to clean wooden floors

Despite being high maintenance, hardwood floors add a great deal of charm, durability and timeless appeal to almost any home, regardless of aesthetic. If you love your wood floors but have never fully understood their care and maintenance, you’ve come to the right place.

“You definitely want hardwood floor cleaners that are derived from natural or plant-based ingredients,” he says. “They are gentle and better for overall maintenance, whereas other chemical cleaners that are more suitable for laminate floors can damage hardwood.”

It’s important to remember that even though they look similar, laminate and hardwood floors require different care, so you should never use the same cleaning solutions or cleaning tools. Eylor explains that hardwood flooring is made from real wood, which means it’s prone to discoloration and warping when excess moisture is present, while laminate is made from wood fibers or fiberboard materials and can withstand slightly harsher chemicals, scratches and moisture.

Follow these four steps to clean your hardwood floors.

Eylor says it’s imperative to keep your hardwood floors clean every day because not only does it make mopping day easier, but it will also maintain the overall life of your floors. On the day you’re ready to mop, sweep thoroughly and use a duster in high-traffic areas, such as the entryway of your home. “If you don’t get rid of all the dirt, dust and debris, you’re just going to push it all around with your mop and the floors will stay dirty,” he says.

For preventative care, Eylor suggests a few simple tasks to help you avoid further damage. “Take your shoes off in the house, use large area rugs, clean up spills immediately, and if you have pets, make sure to trim their nails,” he says. “Using a dust mop or bullet for regular cleaning, especially if you have kids or high traffic, will be less harsh on the floors. Also, be careful when vacuuming hardwood floors and make sure the floors are hard.”

Due to their delicate nature, it is important to choose a gentle but effective cleaner for wooden floors. Eylor recommends EPA Safer Choice products and a soft microfiber mop like the Bona Premium Microfiber Floor Mop (alternatively, you can use the Swiffer WetJet Wood Mopping Kit if you’re looking for an all-in-one product). To make sure your cleaning solution is safe for your hardwood floors, Eylor says the bottle usually states whether it’s intended for glazed and/or unglazed floors.

If you prefer to make your own cleanser, Eylor says to be careful when measuring. “Hydrogen peroxide is a bleaching agent, so use one labeled 3% USP. If it’s too strong, it can fade or discolor wood floors,” he says. “Vinegar, which is acidic, should be diluted with 1/2 cup for every gallon of warm water.”

Now that your hardwood floors are gleaming floors, maintaining them is the last step. While Eylor doesn’t recommend daily use of the cleaning solution, he says using it once a week in high-traffic areas can help. Otherwise, deep cleaning once a month or every two months is enough, while daily sweeping and dusting will help extend the time between deep cleaning.

If you don’t already know whether or not you live in a hard water region, you can check on this map. Hard water has a high mineral content, which Eylor says can lead to dullness and discoloration when used on your hardwood floors. Opt for distilled water to give your floors a brilliant shine.

Water is generally not your hardwood floor’s best friend, so avoid using steam mops, spray mops, or wet mops that can cause the boards to swell and creak.

Finally, Eylor says you should never use bleach, ammonium, or other harsh chemical cleaners on your hardwood floors.