If you think hardwood floors are delicate and require special TLC, think again. It’s quite the opposite really: Most wood floors are finished with polyurethane, making them one of the most durable flooring options out there. Like everything else in your home, it’s best to clean hardwood floors well and often. The difference: Wood floors are prone to wear and tear, especially in high-traffic areas, that’s why Carolyn Forte, director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab, has an easy-to-follow guide on most effective ways to restore your dull, dirty hardwood floors.
How to Clean Hardwood Floors
Not every hardwood floor should be treated with the same level of care. First, examine how much traffic your floors get and then establish a cleaning schedule that makes the most sense. As a general rule of thumb, hardwood floors should be cleaned every one to two months (more or less frequently, depending on traffic). When it comes time to clean, follow the steps below:
- For surface-treated floors, wet-clean with Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner Spray. Spray a small 3-foot by 3-foot area with the cleaner and pick up any dissolved dirt with a microfiber mop.
- Work your way around the entire floor, cleaning one small area at a time.
- If you come across a spot that needs a quick touch-up, clean with a water-dampened paper towel and wipe dry.
How to Remove Scuff Marks from Hardwood Floors
Because dirt isn’t always the main culprit. When you move furniture or wear shoes indoors, you may notice scuffs on your hardwood floors. Luckily, they can easily be rubbed away with some elbow grease.
- To remove light scuffs, buff it out with a sock or a clean, fuzzy tennis ball.
- To remove heavier scuffs, apply baking soda to a damp cloth and gently rub the mark until it disappears. Rinse with a damp paper towel and buff dry.
Tried-and-Tested Tips for Cleaner Hardwood Floors
Take your shoes off.
“I am a firm believer in taking my shoes off as soon as I come in the door, because this simple act goes a long way to eliminating virtually all of the tracked-in dirt that can wreak havoc on a wood floor’s finish,” says Forte. Dirt and grit are abrasive, which can scratch floors over time.
Vacuum regularly.
Nothing removes dirt and fine debris from the cracks and crevices of a wood floor like a good vacuum cleaner. The best choice is a canister vacuum because it has a long, oval floor brush attached to reach tiny spaces. “If you only have an upright model, be sure to turn off the rotating brush to keep the bristles from scratching your floors,” Forte recommends.
Clean up spills ASAP.
Spills are inevitable, but if you let them dry on the floor they’ll dull the finish and attract additional dirt. Blot spills immediately with an absorbent cloth. “The worst thing you can do is let water puddle on the floor,” says Forte. Follow up with a damp paper towel to remove any residue and buff dry.
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