7 mistakes you should avoid making when cleaning hardwood floors

It’s true that solid timber flooring is a long-lasting, easy-to-maintain, and beautiful option for your home/office. However, to keep it looking great for years, you will need to use the right cleaning practices and avoid making some common mistakes when cleaning your timber floor.

This is because cleaning your timber floor is more than just wiping up spills or sweeping up crumbs. Using improper techniques or cleaning with the wrong products can cause more harm than good. Stains, scrapes, bends, scuffs and discoloration are some potential outcomes of uninformed cleaning. So, be aware of these mistakes when you are cleaning your timber flooring.

Dragging your furniture

In order to clean the surface of your timber floor, you might have to temporarily rearrange your furniture. Unfortunately, this task can have some disastrous results for your floor. If you drag the furniture, it could result in scrapes and dents.

Although hardwood flooring is easy to repair, the cost of repairing can add up. Therefore, it’s best to avoid making this mistake altogether. Before displacing your furniture, be sure to team up with someone to relocate it. Also, use furniture pads to make the moving part much easier. It will prevent your hardwood floor from scratches.

Sweeping with a wet mop

It goes without saying that water and timber do not mix. Hardwood can easily absorb moisture this often leads to rotting, gaps and cracks. So, do not use a saturated mop when cleaning your engineered timber flooring.

When mopping your timber floor, avoid soaking the mop. Instead, use the least amount of water and squeeze excess water until the mop is only damp. Make sure you dry the floor thoroughly with a clean towel to prevent such problems.

Using harsh cleansers

There are several cleaning chemicals out there that can ruin the look of your hardwood floor. For instance, bleach or ammonia can easily fade the finish on your timber flooring. The same applies to natural cleansers like vinegar and baking soda.

So, use a cleaning product specifically designed for your hardwood floor. If you are unsure, it’s always smart to contact the manufacturer. And don’t forget to read the instructions on the bottle before cleaning the timber flooring.

Making a bad vacuum adjustment

Vacuum cleaning is another chore which can potentially damage your hardwood floor. A standard vacuum head consists of hard-bristled, rotating brushes that are not great for hardwood. These bristles are likely to scratch up even the best timber flooring in Melbourne.

To avoid making this mistake, use the right vacuum attachment designated for timber flooring. For example, using an attachment with soft bristles can help you protect the timber floor from getting scuffed.

Underestimating regular cleaning

Waiting too long to clean or neglecting regular maintenance is another mistake in our list. The more time you wait, the unhealthier the floor gets. The reason is simple – dirt, dust and debris can ruin wooden floors. This is true for high-traffic areas that suffer the most. So, try to clean the hardwood floor in your high-traffic areas at least twice a month. Whereas, clean less frequently used areas at least thrice a month.

Also, regularly sweep the floor to eliminate dust and dirt. If you begin noticing any scratches or dents here and there, it’s better to repair those floorboards as soon as possible. The sooner you act, the easier the repairing will be.

Using improper cleaning methods

Cleaning your floor is more than using the right cleaning products. It requires the perfect cleaning techniques to achieve desired results. For instance, avoid scrubbing it too hard. Using an inappropriate cloth can damage your floor. Make sure you prepare it before mopping. Also, the right tools will make the job easier. This does not mean you need a closet full of equipment.

Not treating spills immediately

When something gets knocked onto your timber floor, make sure you immediately get rid of it. Springing into quick action can help you save unnecessary efforts you have to put later into cleaning. For instance, cleaning up the spill quickly won’t allow stains to sink deep into the wood floor. This means that the cleaning part won’t be long.

Wrapping up

So, these are the mistakes you need to avoid making when cleaning your timber flooring in Melbourne. By following these tips, you will be able to save time, money, and effort and keep your floor looking in its best condition for years.

Happy cleaning!