2/26/10 Cleaning Hardwood Floors
Cleaning Hardwood Floors
Hardwood flooring is a major attraction in many homes. A well-polished parquet or a neatly brushed Pergo shine when guests enter your home, setting a refined tone for the evening. Keeping your hardwood shining and lustrous is no simple task; so between visits from your housecleaning service, follow these tips to ensure your floors are the main attraction.
Before cleaning, remember the two biggest enemies of hardwood flooring. The first is scratches that leave unsightly jagged lines across the wood grain. The second is water, which can cause your floors to warp and loosen over time. Avoid any cleaning methods that could introduce such elements to your floors.
Begin by sweeping with a soft broom to remove large dirt particles. Once a week, vacuum with a soft brush attachment to pick up smaller particles that the broom might have left behind. Make sure your vacuum is set to the proper height to suction much of the grime.
Once the majority of the dirt is removed, use a very lightly dampened mop to thoroughly clean the floor. If you can wring water from the mop with your hands, it’s too damp to use. The mop shouldn’t leave any moisture on the surface, and it should be washed often during the cleaning to avoid scratching the surface of the hardwood.
When company is coming, put down carpet runners over the flooring in the most traveled areas. These elegant rugs are both stylish and functional, sparing the floors the trauma of high heels and heavy shoes that could leave dents. If you would prefer to not use runners, consider at least installing a floor mat near the exterior entrances. These will catch most of the dirt that visitors might track in, making the party a bit easier on your home.
Ask a flooring specialist if your hardwood requires waxing or buffing. These procedures keep your floors radiant and shiny, though they will also become somewhat slippery for a few days after. Always buff in a circular motion starting in one corner of the room, working your way toward the exit. The same applies to waxing; after finishing the treatment, avoid walking on the floor for at least thirty minutes to one hour.
If you do happen to notice a scratch in your floor, do not panic. Pick up a wood repair kit that matches your hardwood from your local hardware store as well as some floor wax. Using the kit, paint very carefully over the scratch along the grain of the wood. Allow the paint to dry before applying wax with a paintbrush until it matches the smoothness of the surrounding floorboards.
While hardwood floors are a bit of a hassle to clean and maintain, they add a distinctive character and charm to a home. When your maid is away, put a little elbow grease into your own floorboards to make them shine for weeks ahead!
Maid for Mommy is central New Jersey’s premier cleaning services company. We are dedicated to taking care of all the cleaning chores around your home so you have more time to spend doing what you like. Relax with your family while our expert maid service scrubs your kitchen and bathrooms to perfection. Sit back and enjoy a movie as we vacuum your carpets and polish your furniture. After you host the perfect party for friends, leave the cleaning to us—we’ll have your house spotless in no time. Visit MaidForMommy.com or call 1-877-466-6697 for a free estimate and come home to a house that truly sparkles!