How to Clean Sealed Hardwood Floors

Sealed hardwood floors are beautiful. If you find a home with these types of floors in them that is for sale, buy it. This floor style adds value and a classy look to any home that should elevate you in the eyes of your friends.

The sealed hardwood floor also can last you a very long time if they are taken care of properly. Part of that proper care comes in how you clean it. You need to know the right cleansers to use and the right cleaning tools in order to keep those beautiful floors in top shape.

What Not to Use

There are some simple steps to follow in order to get your nice hardwood floors clean again. But the key is in what not to use. Because moisture is an enemy of wood, you do not want to soak the floors with water or do a very hard wet mop over them.

The less moisture you use the better. Replacing hardwood floors can be expensive so you want to avoid using harsh chemicals as well. Cleansers with ammonia, vinegar, wax, polish, and oil should not be used.

The vinegar and ammonia can damage the wood while the oil, polish, and wax can leave a residue that makes re-coating the floor impossible to do. Wood flooring, even hardwood floors, can get damaged if you are not careful and very easily.

What to Use

When it comes to cleansers, you want to use those detergents that are made for hardwood floors. These usually are found in spray bottles as they do not come with a lot of water mixed in. Those cleansers you have to mix in a bucket have too much water and should not be used.

Look for commercial hardwood floor cleansers as they do not contain water and should not damage the floor when applied to them. Then make sure to not spray a lot of cleanser on one area. You do not need to overdo it in order to get those floors nice and clean.

How to Clean a Sealed Hardwood Floor

The steps to cleaning sealed hardwood floors are few and simple. The first thing you need to know is that almost all hardwood floors found in homes are sealed. The type of sealant used does not matter as the cleaning steps are the same for either version.

Step 1 – Use a Broom or a Vacuum Cleaner

The key here is to get the loose dirt and dust off the floor, so the cleansers are not interfered with at any time. This should be done on a regular basis so that the grit and dirt do not get stepped on and scratch your floor’s finish.

When you use your vacuum use the attachment meant for floors or use the hard floor setting on your vacuum cleaner. Also, you should do this step every day or every few days. This is not a once a month or once every couple of weeks step.

Dirt and grit get on your floors on a daily basis and it is wise to sweep them away as quickly as possible.

Step 2 – Use Commercial Spray Cleaners

Because water damages the wood, you should not use a soaking wet string mop. Those strings hold onto too much water that can get into the joints and cracks in the wood very easily. When it does, your wood flooring will soon be damaged and replacement will be your only option.

Use spray cleansers as you can control the amount of cleaner you spray on your floors. Do not use a lot of the cleaner at any one time but just enough to make sure all the dirt will be wiped up.

After spraying, wipe the floor with a clean rag, cloth, mop, or sponge. These can be slightly damp, and you should use warm water.

Step 3 – Go with The Grain

This is an important technique to follow as wood floors can be very sensitive when you clean them the wrong way. Make sure to rinse your rag, etc., frequently so that you are not spreading any dirt.

Step 4 – Dry the Floor ASAP

After wiping the floor with a liquid cleaner and damp rag, dry it off immediately. You do not want any excess moisture making its way to the wood. Use a dry, clean rag, towel, etc., to do the drying.

When you own hardwood floors, it is not hard to keep them looking beautiful. You just have to take the time to clean them right. When you do that, your floors will impress your friends and guests.