Hardwood floors are beautiful and add character to any home. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to clean dirty wood floors, especially when a lot of dirt has accumulated on them. Leaving your floors dirty or not cleaning them properly can actually damage the wood, which can be quite costly to repair.
If you have a mess on your hands, you need to learn how to clean dirty wood floors n the right manner. Here are the six best ways on how to clean dirty wood floors:
1. Use the right floor cleaning tools
It’s important to have the right tools to clean dirty wood floors at any given time. That way if a mess happens, you have everything you need right at your disposal.
One tool that you must have on hand for your wood floors is a microfiber dust mop. Microfiber is gentle on floors and doesn’t leave scratches as a vacuum might. Make sure you wring out the mop really well as too much water can actually damage your floors.
Another tip is to clean with the grain, not against it. A bonus? You can use this mop to clean your other flooring as well! Make sure to purchase microfiber mop refills to go with the mop.
2. Apple cider vinegar and water
Apple cider vinegar and water is the recommended way to clean dirty wood floors. This is the best all-natural solution to clean wood floors. Not only is it natural and good for the environment, but it’s a solution that takes no time at all to make, is very inexpensive, safe to use if you have children or pets, doesn’t leave a film, and doesn’t require rinsing.
To use this solution, mix a quarter cup of apple cider vinegar with about four litres of water. If you don’t have apple cider vinegar on hand, you can always use a cup of white vinegar with four litres of water instead. Don’t like the smell of vinegar? Add a couple of drops of your favourite essential oil and you’re good to go!
To start, make sure you sweep up any residue and dirt on your floors. Then, mix your solution up and get cleaning. It’s recommended to control the amount of solution that’s going on the floor. To do this, use a spray bottle so you know how much solution you’re using. Remember that hardwood floors don’t like too much water, so make sure you don’t soak the floors with water while mopping.
3. Use a floor cleaner
If your home is new and you know the company that makes the wood flooring in your home, you can always ask them which product they suggest as the best one to clean your floors. If you can find the product in-store or online, that’s your best bet for cleaning your wood floors.
4. Soap and water
If you don’t know who the floor finisher is, or you can’t seem to find the product they suggested, you can always use good old-fashioned soap and water. A good soap and water combo is a quarter cup of dishwashing soap, or Murphy Oil soap, with one bucket of warm water.
Gently mix the solution (don’t shake it) and then use your microfiber mop to clean up any messes or as a general cleaning product for when you wash your floors. Again, remember not to soak the floors with water as too much water can damage your floors.
5. Vacuum cleaner
Vacuuming your hardwood floors is always an option to clean dirty wood floors. However, make sure you use one that has a soft roller head to avoid scratching the floor while you try to clean it. You’ll also want to use a vacuum that picks up residue and dirt easily, so you don’t have to go over it so many times.
6. Wax
After you’ve thoroughly cleaned your dirty wood floors with whichever method you choose, apply a wax to the floor to protect it from damage and make it shine. Applying a wax afterward will nourish your wood floors so it’s worth investing in a good wax for hardwood. You can apply it with a cloth or brush, and then buff it with a soft cloth or buffing machine. We promise it’ll be worth the effort!
Going forward, make sure to catch any spills or messes as it happens. This is the best way to keep your floors clean and free of damage. Also, make sure to have a cleaning solution already prepared so you can reach for it quickly when you need it.
