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Common Concerns About Cleaning Hardwood Floors

Jul 3, 2019

Hardwood floors are a beautiful flooring option for any home, but they have their own rules when it comes to maintenance and cleaning. Many homeowners don’t know how to properly care for their hardwood floors and are disappointed when they end up looking less than perfect.

There are some general rules to adhere to when maintaining hardwood floors that can make cleaning and maintenance easier while keeping your floors in great shape. Let’s look at some common concerns and how to address them.

Cleaning Products

When cleaning your hardwood floors you’ll want to carefully consider what products you’ll use. Some cleaners are too harsh for hardwoods, so make sure to choose something that specifically says it is for hardwoods. The type of mop used to clean the floors is also important, as some mops, such as steam mops, can leave too much moisture in the floor. Hardwood floors are usually sealed with a polyurethane seal that can be damaged if the right products aren’t used.

Dealing with Stains

Stains and spots on hardwood floors will generally require a little more elbow grease than everyday dirt. After you’ve exhausted all other cleaning options available, some stains can be removed using acetone on a small cloth. This should be done with extreme caution and only applied to the stain in the smallest area possible. Once the stain disappears make sure to wash away any remaining acetone so it does not eat the finish off the wood.

Dealing with Scratches

Scratches are inevitable over time and can come from animals, furniture, even high heeled shoes. For minor dings and scratches, try a wood filler that matches your flooring. If the scratch is small enough, you’ll never notice it was there if it is filled in carefully.

Things to Avoid

When cleaning your floor always avoid harsh chemicals such as bleach and vinegar. These cleaners can damage the seal of the flooring even if they are diluted, so it is best to avoid them entirely. You will also want to avoid things like abrasive mops, steel wool, and cleaners with grit in them. These types of cleaning products can remove the seal on the wood and/or scratch it leaving a big mess.

Your Professional Hardwood Floor Cleaners

Cleaning hardwood floors isn’t a difficult process as long as the appropriate products and techniques are used. There is no reason to be nervous cleaning hardwood! If you feel your floors are in need of a face-lift and it is beyond your comfort level or ability, call us at Kent Clean today! We offer hardwood floor cleaning in Maryland and we’d love to get your floors looking like new. Contact us today to schedule your cleaning!

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