How to Deep Clean Hardwood Floors Safely? Restore Their Natural Beauty! Leave Them Shiny..
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Hardwood floors are a timeless and elegant addition to any home, offering durability and fascinating natural beauty. However, to maintain their longevity and impeccable appearance, you should regularly remove the built-up contamination and grime. What are the approaches to deep-clean hardwood floors safely? How to restore their fine appearance, and leave them shiny?
Can You Deep Clean Wood Floors?
How to clean thoroughly these kinds of floors, which are natural and fragile, is a typical concern of homeowners, as they worry about possible damage or water penetration. The positive aspect is that you can deep clean hardwood floors safely, as long as you apply the right techniques, properly removing the dirt and grease. It’s vital to be aware that these fantastic natural floors come in a variety of finishes, including polyurethane, oil-based, and waxed surfaces. Each type of finish may have different requirements for treatment. So, identify the kind of your floor’s surface before performing a thorough cleaning.
Read also: Cleaning Parquet: Tips for Keeping Your Natural Wooden Flooring Elegant and Tidy
How to Deep Clean and Polish Hardwood Floors?
Deep cleaning your hardwood floors is not a hard-to-do task, and may even be pleasing. With suitable tools and techniques, you can restore the freshness and shine of your walking surface while providing its longevity. There are some proven guidelines to deep clean hardwood floors, leaving them shiny:
- Clearing the area: Take away furniture, rugs, and any other obstructions from the floor to provide access to the whole surface. This is needed to make the process of removing dirt and grease easier and more efficient.
- Dust or sweep the surface: Before treating with any liquid, thoroughly dust or sweep the wooden surface to take away loose dirt, dust, and debris. This will prevent scratching your walking surface while cleaning it.
- Select the cleaning solution: Depending on your floor’s finish, choose the suitable solution for the natural wooden surface. Water-based treatment is generally safer for most finishes, but if your walking surface is oil-finished, use a specially designed-cleaner for these kinds of floors.
- Dilute the cleaning solution: Dilute the cleaner with water, according to the manufacturer’s instructions. In most cases, the suitable ratio is one part solution added to four parts water.
- Apply the diluted solution: Dip a microfiber mop or cloth into the diluted solution, wringing out the excess water. Do not leave too much damp on this kind of natural walking surface, as this can cause warping and impairment.
- Mop in one direction: Lightly mop the floor in the direction of the wood grains. In this way, you’ll clean the floor thoroughly, preventing scratches on the surface, and ensuring even cleaning.
- Cleaning tricky spots: For tricky to-remove stains or spots, you may use a specially designed stain remover for hardwood floors. Apply it to a cloth and lightly rub the blotted area until it’s not visible.
- Rinse, avoiding much moisture: After you’ve finished, dampen a clean cloth with water and wipe down your floor to take away any residue. Be sure you don’t leave behind excess moisture on it.
- Polish for shine: To restore the shine and beauty of your walking surface, polish it lightly with a dry microfiber cloth or mop, leaving it looking glossy and renewed.
Is It Safe to Deep Clean Hardwood Floors with Apple Cider Vinegar?
Apple cider vinegar is a versatile natural cleaning solution for home surfaces, but its strong acidity makes it unusable for cleaning hardwood floors. While it can be perfect for performing other cleaning tasks, applying it to natural walking surfaces is not recommended. The problem is that if used regularly, the acidity in this natural substance may destroy the finish little by little. Apple cider vinegar is able to make unwanted strips on the protective layer, leaving your floor susceptible to scratches and stains.
How Can I Make My Hardwood Floors Smell Good?
After deep cleaning your hardwood floors, you can take a few additional steps to ensure they not only look ideally, but also smell fine:
- Wood-friendly air freshener: Select an air freshener or diffuser with scents that harmonize with the natural aroma of wood, such as cedar, pine, or sandalwood. These scents will disperse in your room air, and create a pleasing ambiance.
- Scented solutions: Choose a cleaning product with a pleasing natural fragrance like citrus or lavender, leaving behind a refreshing aroma.
- Aromatic polish: Consider using a scented wood polish, carefully formulated for natural walking surfaces, which leaves a lasting aroma.
It’s crucial to use minimal moisture when deep cleaning your hardwood floors. Excess water can penetrate the natural surface, causing swelling, warping, or cupping, which can be tricky to repair.
Read also: You ONLY Need These 3 Natural Products to Clean the House! – Say ‘Goodbye’ to the Toxic Chemicals!