Should You Mop Wood Floors

Similarly steam mops may force moisture into the wood and damage it.

Should you mop wood floors.

After mopping go over floors with a dry microfiber cloth or a dry mop to ensure no water remains on the laminate. Even for non wood flooring you need to exercise caution. You can also use a laminate floor mop. However avoid using a steam mop on unsealed hardwoods as they re more vulnerable and easily damaged by excessive moisture.

Clean wood floors with vinegar by adding 1 2 cup white vinegar to a gallon of lukewarm water. Hardwood floors add a beautiful touch to just about any room but there s some debate about the best way to clean them. Follow the tips for how to clean hardwood floors with a mop above to prevent water damage. But dust mop at least once a week to remove grit that scratches the finish.

There are several different mixtures to use for hardwood floors and you ll. One way how to clean hardwood floors is to use a mop and hardwood floor cleaner according to the manufacturer s instructions. If you are wondering how to clean wood floors daily or the best way to clean laminate wood floors especially when you are short on time it s easiest to use a robot vacuum. You should only use a damp mop not a dripping wet one on sealed wood flooring.

Heavily trafficked areas should be cleaned more often every week or two. Stocki says it s best to avoid using a steam mop on laminate which is made of fiberboard because the heat could damage the plastic. If it stays there the water can warp the wood weaken it and promote mold and bacteria growth. There are still pores and cracks that water can seep into.

Make sure to wring most of the water out of the mop so it s damp. Because different floor finishes have unique care requirements the best way to clean hardwood floors will depend on the type of finish rather than the wood species e g cherry maple oak. Sealed hardwood floors can withstand the moisture and heat from a steam mop and they clean really nicely with a streak free finish. These are flat mops or spray mops usually of microfiber or other highly absorbent materials that are designed to mop cleanly without excess liquid.

The national wood flooring association recommends damp mopping your floor 4 or 6 times a year at a minimum. Learning how to clean hardwood floors with vinegar will save you money on top of providing a safe cleaning method for your floors.