If you have finally installed that hardwood floor you have always dreamt of, you are one step closer to giving your interior the perfect look. Or it could be that the hardwood floor was the only missing piece from your home design.
Hardwood floors are truly elegant and stylish, as they provide a natural look that fits in just about every home. Hardwood is a cozy option that reveals nature’s beauty due to the random patterns and board length. It is true that such type of floor is very beautiful, but it also true that you need to pay special care to maintain and clean it. Utilising the right floor cleaning methods is of extreme importance, because improper care can often cause damage to the floor or the finish that’s used as coat for the individual pieces. Here are some cleaning methods and solutions you must definitely avoid when it comes to floor cleaning:
Vinegar
Even though vinegar is often regarded as one of the best green cleaners that can be utilised in many areas of home cleaning, using it on your hardwood is definitely a no-go. The acid ingredient of vinegar will not only eat away at the dirt and spoils on the floor, but also the finish. It will cause it to lose its shine and eventually lead to a splotchy look
Ammonia
The reason behind not using ammonia-based products on your hardwood floor is pretty much the same as why you shouldn’t use vinegar – it will eat away at the finish and damage it. You don’t want to see an uneven surface, do you?
Waxing
Some people still use wax to supposedly preserve their hardwood floors. The truth is that this sticky finish only causes the floor to better attract dirt, pet hair and various other spoils, making it all the more difficult to clean. Avoid wax, if you want to ensure you can perform easy floor cleaning.
Oil soap
The thing about this product is the oil that’s added after saponification. The purpose of this additional ingredient is to absorb into the material that’s being cleaned and prevent drying out. The effect on hardwood floors, however, is that it will stay on top of the varnish. Basically, if you use oil soap to clean your hardwood floor, you will have an oily liquid on the smooth surface, which not only poses a risk, but is also quite undesirable in terms of further cleaning service.
Plenty of Water
The reason why you shouldn’t use much water on hardwood floor is that the material absorbs it, eventually becoming swell. With too much water entering the hardwood, it will expand, potentially cracking the finish at the seams of the boards. The last thing you want is to have your hardwood floor ruined like this.
Spoil-filled Mop
If you are using a mop with too much dirt in your home cleaning efforts, it will not only spread more spoils, but also scratch the delicate surface of the hardwood floor finish.
Make sure you avoid using these solutions on your hardwood floor, as they are potentially dangerous and may lead to damage. Focus on vacuuming and dry cloth cleaning to keep the floor sanitised and looking sparkling at all times.
For the best care of your hardwood floor, you should also consider some specialized products. Our line is developed with regards to providing the best care for any hardwood flooring, without any risk for the wood and finish. Visit our online cleaner shop.
That is good to know that you are supposed to avoid using vinegar on hardwood. I never would have thought that vinegar would be bad for the flooring because you can use it on things like carpet. I am going to need to tell my husband so he doesn’t try it on our new floor.
Thanks for letting me know about it. Using proper tools to clean our floor a mop paired with a machine washable, microfiber pad for dusting and cleaning. I suggested.
Thanks for letting me know about it. Very informative.
Very nice idea.I should apply that.