Hardwood floors are a durable choice selected by a large number of homeowners, but that doesn’t mean they’re invincible. Hardwood floors are subject to wear and tear just like any other parts of your home, whether that be from high-traffic, furry friends, common spills, or unfortunate accidents.
What many homeowners don’t realize, however, is that the products they choose to clean these messes can be doing more harm than the mess itself.
Proper care helps your hardwood floors deliver decades of beauty, comfort, and value.
Here are a few important tips to help you avoid damaging your wood floors.
Finish Isn’t Foolproof
The protective layer across the top of your beautiful hardwood floors is known as finish. Finishes can be water- or oil-based and come in a variety of colors and levels of glossiness. But one thing all finishes have in common is that they are not completely protective layers. And what some people think are great cleaning habits can actually be ruining their floors.
So, if you find yourself using any of the following methods to maintain your hardwood floors, it’s time to step away from the cleaners and develop a new plan!
Vinegar Isn’t Your Friend
DIY videos and recipes for using vinegar as a natural cleaner abound. But despite its popularity, this isn’t always the best idea for cleaning hardwood.
Vinegar is an acidic substance, so it can easily eat through the protective coating on your floors, especially if any is left to sit on the planks.
Once the protective coating is compromised, continued use of vinegar can infiltrate the wood itself, causing discoloration or even bloating if enough is absorbed.
Beware of Steam
While high heat steam seems great for breaking up grime and killing bacteria, it can be a detriment to hardwood flooring. The combination of moisture and intense heat allows the steam to penetrate the protective layers of the wood. This sudden influx of moisture can cause the wood to swell and/or twist.
In extreme cases when the water becomes stuck in the core, the flooring can grow mold or even begin to rot, becoming a huge safety hazard for your family.
No Wax-Based Cleaners
Some homeowners equate wax with shine, so they’re tempted to use these types of cleaners on their hardwood floors, but that’s a big don’t. Not only can they make floors incredibly slippery, aka dangerous, the products can leave behind residue that traps dust and dirt, so your floors look worse than before!
Plus, many of these cleaners are extremely difficult to strip, meaning if you ever wanted or needed to refinish your floors, it would be a much tougher job.
What to Do Instead
Instead of the commonly misused items above, you should look for water-based products that are made specifically for hardwood flooring. The key here is to make sure that all excess moisture is removed with a dry mop, towel, or wet vac, otherwise you’re going to run into similar problems as you would with excess steam, especially if left on the floor repeatedly.
When in Doubt, Call the Pros
At this point you might be thinking, but I’ve used all of these on my floors and they’re just fine? While you may have gotten away with it so far, it’s simply not worth the risk.
Continued use of these products and methods can deteriorate your flooring over time, and you might not notice until it’s too late and you’re facing replacement, not repair.
Plus, in many cases using these cleaners can even cancel your warranty. Avoid all that headache and turn to a professional hardwood flooring service when needed for deep cleaning your wood floors and surfaces.
Protect Your Wood Floor Investment
Hardwood floors are an investment worth protecting. With proper care, they can provide your home with years of functional beauty. However, common mistakes can put both your floors and your wallet at risk. Instead of trusting everything you see online, research products that are truly safe for hardwood and follow all manufacturers’ instructions. And when you’re unsure, Cameron the Sandman is just a phone call away.
Our wood floor installation, restoration, and refinishing services have been beautifying homes throughout Michigan for more than three generations.