Do not use pure ammonia, alkaline products, or abrasive cleaners. They will end up dulling or scratching the finish. Don't rely on lemon juice or a solution of vinegar and water to clean wooden floors. I don't recommend using vinegar or lemon juice, at least not in large quantities, as they can damage the floor seal, Wise said.
Avoid ammonia: ammonia discolors, deteriorates and dulls the finish. Using Ammonia to Clean a Hardwood Floor Will Take Years of Life. Vinegar is another one of those ubiquitous and highly touted household cleaning products that should be used with caution when it comes to hardwood floors. Vinegar should be used sparingly on wooden floors or reserved for hard, durable surfaces, such as windows, sinks, and microwaves.
Like vinegar, lemon juice is a highly acidic ingredient that can alter the beauty and integrity of wood floors, especially when used in large quantities. Too much can dull the floors and also wear down the finish, making the floors more susceptible to damage over time. If you're looking for a prefabricated cleaner, both Dulude and Nogales-Hernandez recommend the Bona floor care kit because it's gentle, safe and effective. If you're eager to get your lemon juice out, here are some things you can clean with citrus instead.
Do not use soaps, waxes, or polishes. The wax creates unnecessary build-up on the surface and makes the floor slippery. The polishes, contrary to what was expected, will dull the finish. Before continuing with the cleaning, now is the time to check that the hardwoods are sealed.
If so, a little wet mopping from time to time is fine. But if not, the wet mop can damage floors, since there is no barrier preventing water from soaking into the wood. Know what you're working with before you start. Never put objects on the floor that could burn wood.
Things like candles, a curling iron, a hotplate, or an old heater can not only cause burn marks on your beautiful wooden floor, but they can also cause a fire. Always keep items that produce a lot of heat off your wooden floor. Absolutely clean basic coatings: this product is designed to clean wooden floors without damaging the finish. Routinely cleaning wood from the dust, dirt, and sand that comes with daily wear and tear makes a huge difference from the final product and makes any wet cleaning you do a mile more efficient.
When you remember the concept of cleaning wooden floors, the image of a tired soul that has been lifting a soaked mop from a heavy foam bucket and placing it on a splattered floor may come to mind. Ensuring that your customers know how to properly clean a wooden floor is essential to protecting the integrity of their work in the long term. In addition to the tips above, Nogales-Hernández recommends that they make sure to immediately clean up all spills to prevent the wood from warping or discoloring. You can get that same quick and easy cleaning with the Bona Hardwood Floor Premium spray mop, which comes with a washable microfiber pad and a refillable cartridge full of Bona hardwood floor cleaner.
However, generally speaking, there are simply better options you can turn to when you want to clean your wood floors. For a full rundown of the products you should never use on your hardwood floors and what you should use instead, check out these essential tips from cleaning professionals. Even if you don't do any of these things to your hardwood floor, it will still show signs of wear and tear over time. While it's important to clean floors regularly, make sure you only use solutions designed specifically for wood floors and don't pour any cleaner directly onto the floor.
The first step in learning how to clean wood floors is to remove dust or debris that can scratch or dull their surface. You should include information about approved cleaning products and processes in the floor care guides you provide to your customers. Popular cleaning products: Most cleaning products sold in grocery stores are not wood-friendly. Using Basic Coatings, IFT, and Squeaky Clean to prepare for refinishing will ensure that you start every job on a professional note and will encourage your customers to care for their floors with the right products.
To further encourage good cleaning practices, you could even consider delivering floor care kits to your customers. .
