What is best to use to mop wood floors
How To Clean Hardwood Floors | Hardwood Floor Care | The Home Depot
If properly maintained, hardwood flooring will last for decades.
Hardwoods need to
be kept clean and free of the dust and debris
that can scratch and dull the surface.
High-traffic areas should be swept as often as possible.
You can either sweep the floors with a broom,
or use a disposable electrostatic mop.
Using a vacuum is also an option.
However, you should only vacuum if your
model features an on-off brush roll.
Many models have a hard floor setting, which
raises the vacuum and deactivates the
brush roll used to clean carpets.
If active, the brush roll can scratch
hardwood flooring.
Only suction is used
when removing debris on the hard floor setting.
Some models offer rubber wheels,
which are less likely to leave scratches
than models with hard plastic wheels.
Heavily trafficked areas should be
cleaned every week or two using a damp mop.
Wet the mop and wring out most of
the water so it is just damp.
Avoid leaving any standing water on the floor.
This can damage the wood.
This is especially true for pre-finished hardwood floors.
Unless the surface was sealed
with polyurethane after installation,
the water will seep between the boards.
If your floors are well sealed,
you can add a wood cleaning product diluted to the
manufacturer's instruction when mopping.
Avoid using harsh detergents.
They'll dull the surface.
The Home Depot offers a wide variety of wood care products both
in store and online.
There are products that allow you to
simply spray and mop.
These products don't require a bucket.
They dry quickly and remove dust, dirt
and grime.
For an even quicker clean,
there are disposable wet pads.
These are perfect for touch-up cleaning,
but be sure to select the wet pads
specifically formulated for cleaning hardwoods.
There are also floor polishes that help
restore the shine and offer protection
against wear.
These products will also help fill
small scratches and are
available in low and high gloss finishes.
To revitalize worn floors, use a floor wax.
These not only provide a deep clean,
but they leave a satin finish that
protects and beautifies hardwoods.
Regardless of which product you choose,
always apply them with the grain of the wood.
If your product requires a mop
application, rinse the mop often and wring it dry.
Although many products will
dry pretty quickly,
you can speed the
process by turning on a ceiling fan or
the floor can be dried using a soft microfiber cloth.
No matter how often you
clean your hardwood floor,
scratches are inevitable especially if you have pets.
There are liquid scratch concealers that
when dry form a permanent seal that
won't come off during cleaning.
Eventually, your floor's sealed surface
will wear, but fortunately real hardwood
flooring can be lightly sanded and new
finish applied to restore the floor's natural beauty.
For more detailed
information about this and many other
projects, check out the DIY projects and
ideas section of homedepot.com
or talk to one of our store associates.
