Hardwood floors are very nice to look at. What’s more, their aesthetics are quite universal. They can match any style of interior design or architecture, whether that’s a classic, modern, or contemporary vibe. Therefore, you often see hardwood floors in different kinds of businesses, from antique stores to coffee shops.
Unfortunately, hardwood floors can get dirty quickly in these high-traffic business settings. From muddy shoes to spilled drinks, hardwood floors undergo a lot of abuse. If you don’t clean them up properly, the accumulated grime can dull the wood and even shorten its lifespan.
Fortunately, it’s easy to clean high-traffic wooden floors. The best way to clean hardwood floors starts with smart preventive measures, which not only help protect floors but also cut down on the time you spend cleaning.
Preventing damage
The first thing you must work out is whether the floors are sealed/coated or unfinished. If they’re sealed/coated you can use a little more water, if not, you need to be careful to soak the floors.
If you don’t know whether your hardwood floors are sealed/coated or not, you can do a dropper test. Simply a few drops onto the floor and see if they would be absorbed after a few minutes. If yes, then the floor is unfinished or coated with varnish. If the water drops aren’t absorbed, then the floor is sealed/coated with either polyurethane or acrylic.
Do note that most modern hardwood floors are sealed/coated. Still if you aren’t sure, conduct the test mentioned above or call an expert to verify.
Vacuuming
Once checking the finish of your hardwood floors, the next step is to remove as much debris as you can. Doing this will prevent sharp particle form scratching the surface of the wood and also pick up and dust particles to give you a clean floor.
A vacuum designed for hard surfaces should be used for hardwood flooring. It needs to have good suction for removing dirt and lint, while having wheels that don’t scratch the floors. A is better for easy, quick cleaning.
Always dry mop
Microfibre mops are also known as dust mops. Dust mops replace your standard bristle head with a wrapped in a microfibre cloth.
The benefit to dust mops is that they do a great job of attracting and picking up dirt, dust and hair instead of just pushing it around on the floor into a pile. Though, you may still get a pile of dirt after, so don’t throw out your dustpan and broom.
Getting the right floor cleaner
You can either use a specially formulated hardwood floor cleaner or make your own using warm water and a mild cleanser like Castile soap. These can be used for daily mopping.
If using a floor cleaner there are some general guidelines, you should always follow when choosing a hardwood floor cleaner. The most important part is that it needs to be pH-neutral and designed specifically for hardwood floors. This will allow for the best quality finish as well as keep the hardwood in good condition.
Mopping it
For the mop, the best option would be again, a micro fibre mop. It’s great for both wet and dry mopping and it can also last for a very long time with proper care. More importantly a microfibre is soft enough that if used correctly will almost never scratch your floors.
When mopping a quit tip is always go with the grain. This means following the direction of the grain for the best results. Also make sure the mop is lightly damp or dry. Don’t use a soaking wet mop ever on hardwood floors even if you’re 100 percent certain that they’re sealed.
Buffing to shine
After everything’s mopped up and dried, it’s time to give your hardwood floors a good buff. There are buffing machines that you can purchase or rent, although you can also do this process by hand. Use a soft cloth or a microfibre mop that’s dampened with an appropriate polish.
Some people swear by olive oil or similar products when it comes to homemade buffing solutions. If you want to DIY it, just make sure to follow the previously mentioned advice; don’t use anything that’s bleach- or acid-based to prevent damage.
Maintenance
Lastly, high-traffic hard wood floors need regular maintenance. It is vital that you follow a regular routine to ensure lasting quality of your wooden floors. You must always ensure that you clean spills immediately as well as vacuum weekly. Another important maintenance tip is to always use furniture pads on all chairs and other furniture, this will prevent scratching.
As you can see, it’s not difficult to keep your hardwood floors in great shape. The key is consistency. If you’re able to stick to these tips you will certainly ensure your hardwood floors will stay in great shape for years to come.
And of course, if you don’t have the time or need any help or assistance at all maintaining your floors or any cleaning around your place of business, be sure to contact us at New Era Clean today.