How to Clean Prefinished Hardwood Floors

In this article I will go over how to clean prefinished hardwood floors. Hardwood floors are more expensive and harder to maintain than other types of floors. However, when maintained properly, they are extremely durable and give you good value for your money. Cleaning prefinished hardwood floors is not as challenging as you thought it would be. Placing good-quality rugs and mats over these floors is a good way to prevent spillage issues.

How to restore shine to prefinished hardwood floors

Sweeping and mopping regularly are the best ways to clean prefinished hardwood floors. The key is to do these steps in great detail so that every nook and corner of the hardwood floors is clean and free of dust. Here are some things you can keep in mind to do this process efficiently:

• Use a broom with soft bristles and a microfiber mop to clean the prefinished hardwood floors regularly. It is a good idea to sweep the floors daily for best results. However, while doing so, please take care to sweep the corners, areas behind the bed, cupboards and other hard-to-access areas thoroughly.
• If you use a vacuum cleaner to get rid of the dust on your prefinished hardwood floors, please remember to use the ones that don’t have a beater bar. Hardwood floors are prone to scratches, and using a beater bar over them is not a good idea.
• While mopping, always resort to dry mopping only. Using a dry and soft microfiber mop for this purpose is very important. Wet mopping should be avoided completely, as the moisture can get inside the grooves of the floors and cause irreparable damage to them.
• You should always buy floor cleaners that are designed exclusively for hardwood floors. These cleaners have natural ingredients that are safe for the health and quality of the hardwood floors. You can use these cleaners in the right quantity once a week to restore the shine to these floors.

How to clean prefinished hardwood floors with vinegar

White vinegar is one of the most versatile ingredients when it comes to cleaning anything in your home. Here is how you can use vinegar to clean prefinished hardwood floors as well:

• Make a cleaning solution by mixing white vinegar and water in a ratio of 1:3. Test this solution in a small, hidden area of the hardwood floors to check if it causes dullness or other issues. If the solution is safe for the floors, you can use it for cleaning the hardwood floors easily. However, take care to use a very small quantity only to prevent moisture from seeping into the floors.
• If you don’t like the smell of this mixture, you can consider adding a few drops of any essential oil of your choice (lemon, lavender, rose oil and more). This will give out a very soothing aroma when you clean the floors.
• If certain parts of your hardwood floors are covered with a lot of dust, oil and grime, you can add a few drops of liquid detergent or dish detergent to the white vinegar and water mixture while cleaning.
• If you feel that dish detergents may damage your floor, don’t worry. Here is another DIY hardwood floor cleaning solution you can make using vinegar. Mix a liquid soap (use the plant-based natural varieties), white vinegar and water in a ratio of 1:1:10. You can use this solution to clean hardwood floors that are covered with dust and grime.
• Are you scared of using water to clean your hardwood floors? We don’t blame you at all! Many people think that it is a mistake to use water on these floors, as it can cause a lot of damage. Though it is not true, we can help you with another water-free DIY cleaning solution for bringing back the shine on your hardwood floors. Make a solution by mixing equal parts of vegetable oil and white vinegar. Pour this into a spray bottle and shake well. Spray this on the dirty areas, and wipe off with a clean, microfiber cloth to get rid of the dirt.
• Here is an excellent vinegar-based remedy to make your hardwood floors shiny again. Make a solution by mixing olive oil and white vinegar in equal portions. To this, add a few drops of lemon juice and about 10 portions of boiling water. Dip a rag into this, wring it thoroughly and wipe over the spots on the hardwood floors to bring back the shine.

How to clean prefinished hardwood floors without streaks – Some tips

• Dusting and sweeping the hardwood floors daily is highly recommended. This way, the floors will be very clean, when you do a weekly mopping. Otherwise, the dust particles will get scattered around, causing unnecessary streaks.
• When using wet mops on the floors once every week, always remember to wring them thoroughly before using them. This will prevent streak formation on the floors.
• Use a mop or a rag to wipe away the marks or stains on the hardwood floors gently. Soaking the hardwood floors in any cleaner solution is a strict no-no.
• Using the right cleaner products, and the right kind of microfiber mop are also important factors to consider if you don’t want to see streaks on your prefinished hardwood floors.
• Rinse your mop regularly when cleaning the floors. If the water turns very dirty, please remember to replace it with clean water to avoid streaks on the floors.

Conclusion

The key to cleaning prefinished hardwood floors is to be gentle and use the right products. Not using too much water, using a soft microfiber cloth and using the right floor cleaner are very important when it comes to cleaning hardwood floors the right way. Now that your floors are clean, are you wondering how to clean dirt in grooves of hardwood floors? Well, a damp sponge or microfiber rag is the answer to that as well! Run the damp cloth gently over the grooves to remove the dust and debris accumulated there.

Make sure to run a dry cloth over the grooves again to ensure that no moisture has accumulated in the grooves. So as you might have realized, with the right maintenance procedures, you can keep your prefinished hardwood floors clean and shining always.