Hardwood floors are relatively easy to keep looking new, but you cannot clean them like you would other floors. Because the wood is natural, it can be prone to damage, stains, scratches, and wear. Avoid the hassle of sanding and refinishing the floors by taking care of them daily.
Dry Mop Daily
You do not need to clean your solid wood flooring with a cleaner every day, but we do recommend dry moping daily. This removes any dust particles or larger pieces of debris that can scratch the surface. With traffic going in and out of your house all day, it is easier to stay on top of the dirt and grime if you set aside some time every day to dry mop the floors.
Clean Up Spills and Messes Immediately
When a spill or mess happens, clean it up immediately. Allowing the liquid to sit on the wood floors will damage them to the point of no return. If you are waiting to refinish your hardwood floors, deceive guests into thinking the floors look new by hiding the water stain with a rug.
Use Hardwood Floor Cleaner Monthly
Aside from wiping up spills right away and dry moping daily, you should clean the floors monthly with a cleaner for natural hardwood. Never use a chemical or product not labeled for these types of floors—you can cause irreversible damage unless you sand down the wood. As long as you mop daily, you will only need to do a deeper clean once a month.
Apply a Fresh Coat of Finish Every 3-5 Years
Over time, the top coat and finish on the floor will wear down due to foot traffic. At this point, the floors will most likely look old and worn, but don’t worry, a fresh coat of finish will get the floors looking brand new again. If you take good care of the wood throughout the years, you should only need to apply a refinishing coat to them every three to five years.
If you have hardwood floors in your home, you’ll realize that they require minimal effort to keep in pristine condition. You only need to worry about large spills staining the floor and dirt, furniture, or pets scratching or denting the floor. Establish your cleaning routine, and they should be looking brand new every day.