How to Clean Engineered Hardwood Floors?

Do you want to clean your luxurious engineered hardwood floors? Harwood is one of the best and most popular flooring options for all the right reasons.

But you have to pay extra consideration towards its cleaning because once they are damaged, there is no way back. Are you worried about the cleanliness it requires?

or you are afraid that your precious flooring might be damaged? Whatever your query is regarding hardwood floors, everything will be covered in this detailed guide.

I will explain the best way to clean floors without any hassle. Along with that, we will talk about some tips necessary for floor cleanliness. Are you ready? Here we go.

 

Tools and Materials Required

Before starting cleaning your wood floor make sure you have all the right materials and tools used for this purpose. They include:

• Vacuum cleaner
• Sanding
• White vinegar
• Damp cloth
• Cleaning detergent

After buying all these things, you can proceed with the process.

Best Way to Clean Hardwood Floors

Cleaning hardwood floors regularly might seem a complicated process but if you do it with the right method, you will be able to complete this task easily.

Every floor collects dirt and debris if left uncleaned for a long time resulting in floor damage as well.

Especially if you are a pet lover or have kids at home, cleaning must be added to your daily tasks only then you can keep floors shine.

I have listed some easy-to-follow methods so that you can apply them regularly. Let’s put a light on those methods for better understanding.

Sweep the Floor Regularly

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It is the most important and easiest method to make your beautiful floor dust-free regularly. All you have to do is sweep the floor regularly so that you can pick loose dust, tiny dirt particles, and hair instantly.

You can also go for a simple and lightweight vacuum for this purpose. However, if you are using a vacuum do not go for the one that has a rotating bristle bar.

How often you should sweep depends on the floor’s foot traffic.  If you have installed the wood floor in a living room or kitchen where there is a lot of foot traffic, better sweep daily.

If it is installed in a place where there is barely any foot traffic, sweeping once a week would be enough.

Mopping is Important

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Mopping using any top-of-the-line engineered wood floor cleaner is also an essential part of cleaning.

You should do it regularly in order to protect your floors. How often you mop wooden floors also depends on foot traffic.

If the floor is installed in low foot traffic areas then mopping once a month would be enough. But for the room having high traffic, mopping hardwood floors once a week will do the job.

Other than that, if you feel your floor’s shine is dull then it is the right time to mop the floor to bring back the shine.

Instead of applying a wet mop, always go for a damp one for your hardwood floors because they are water-resistant so never wet these floors much.

Regular Deep Cleaning

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Even if you are regularly cleaning your floors by using a sweep or mop there are still some hard stains left.  Those can only be removed when you thoroughly deep clean the surface with the right cleaners for hardwood floors.

However, before buying any wood floor cleaner ensure that it is specially designed for your luxurious engineered hardwood flooring.

They are easily accessible from nearby stores. You have to follow the manual instructions to apply the cleaner. You can use a mop, rag or sponge to apply the cleaner, however, keep the quantity minimum.

Once the cleaner has been applied, rinse it well with water. In the end, dry the surface fully. You can do deep cleaning twice a year.

Use Vinegar with Water

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Do you know that cleaning hardwood floors with vinegar is the best solution you can use?

Yes, this solution should be added to your everyday cleaning in order to protect the surface from any grime or debris.

Take Care of Scratches

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Make sure your luxury engineered hardwood floor doesn’t have scratches for which you need to be extra careful.

Sometimes scratches occur due to dragging heavy furniture or not putting pads under the furniture. After every safety precaution, if any scratch still occurs, better get rid of it as soon as possible.

You can go for different scratch concealers in this regard. However, major scratches are hard to recover at home. Call a professional urgently before it is too late.

Tips and Tricks to Clean Engineered Hardwood Floor

Dirt, grimes, and scratches are normal but by following a few tricks and tips, you can always save your floors from any big mishap.

It doesn’t matter how many kids and pets you have at home, you can always protect them. A few tips for this purpose include:

• Always clear the dirt and debris as soon as you because if the moisture gets into the wood it can cause damage.
• It is great to put floor mats at the entrance so that no dirt enters from shoes.
• Do not buy a rubber or latex mat because it can cause damage to the floor’s finishing.
• Never drag furniture over the floor because it can cause major damage. Moreover, use pads under furniture to avoid scratches.

By keeping these points in mind, you can protect your expensive floors from any damage.

Products and Materials to Avoid

Apart from knowing all the cleaning tips, you should also know the materials and products you should avoid using on engineered hardwood flooring.

• Never use any product that contains harsh and abrasive chemicals because it causes major damage. Go for cleaners specially designed for these floors.
• Stay away from cleaners that contain oil soaps and wax because they are not suitable for these floors.
• Use cleaners that contain soft materials. Only they are good for these delicate surfaces.
• Make sure the brush you used for cleaning should not be of steel wool because they make scratches.
• The door mats you use should not be made of rubber or latex.

These are a few things that you should avoid using in order to protect the surface from any damage or scratches.

Engineered Wood Cleaning Mistakes

Must remember the following cleaning mistakes for the better care of your engineered wood floors in the future:

Harsh Chemicals

You must avoid the cleaning solution having harsh chemicals on this flooring form. Most expensive commercial cleaners use Ammonia for instant effects.

These types of substances will make the top coat of your engineered wood floor dull and itchy.

Steam Mops

Moisture is another damaging element on an engineered wooden surface. Even manufacturers do not recommend washing methods like steam mopping, dampening, or any other wet mopping.

Rough Applicators

If you use a rougher cleaning tool or stiffer attachments with your vacuum, it will make your engineered wood surface scratchy.

Always use softer brushes and apply only paper towels or microfiber clothes on this type of floor surface.

Do’s & Don’ts of Cleaning Engineered Hardwood Floors

You will notice that most of the scratches have been eliminated with this cleaning method. However, you can still protect the engineered hardwood floors in a better way after understanding the following do’s and don’ts for this flooring type:

Do’s

• Use softer brushes and natural solutions for cleaning purposes
• If you notice any spills or debris, then immediately react to it
• Maintain a perfect temperature on the engineered hardwood floor room
• Wipe the sticky stains with a paper towel or any softer cloth
• Put the protective clothes under the bulky furniture placed on its floor surface
• Place the entryway mats, especially in the rainy season, to save this luxurious flooring
• Protect your kitchen surface with this type of flooring

Don’ts

• Always avoid steam cleaner on engineered hardwood floors
• Never use harsh chemicals for cleaning purposes
• Don’t put the rubber and latex backing mats on this surface
• Avoid sliding the heavier furniture or other similar objects on this hard floor surface
• Never use a stiff bristle or steel wool brush on this hardwood flooring

FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions

The guide didn’t end here as we have yet to cover a few frequently asked questions regarding the best way to clean floors. The queries include:

Is It Ok to Mop Engineered Hardwood Floors?

Yes, you can safely use a mop on hardwood floors but it is better to use a damp mop instead of a wet mop. Engineered hardwood floors are water-resistant, and not waterproof so avoid using a lot of water on the surface.

Can I Use Swiffer on Engineered Hardwood?

Don’t use Swiffer on unfinished engineered hardwood because it can provide damage. However, if they are finished then you can use this product safely.

Is Bona Good for Engineered Hardwood Floors?

It is the best thing to use on engineered hardwood floors as it works effectively and keeps the surface clean all the time.

Is Engineered Hardwood Hard to Clean?

No, you can easily maintain the cleanliness of your hardwood floors without following hard cleaning methods. All the above-mentioned points will be effective for this purpose.

What Are the Disadvantages of Engineered Wood Floors?

The main con of these floors is the price. They are costly and not affordable for everyone. Moreover, you have to be extra cautious about its fading because they fade over time.

You need to give extra time to its cleaning. Otherwise, the surface can be damaged.

Final Thoughts

Engineered hardwood floor care is important. The process to clean engineered hardwood floors is somewhat tricky yet not so hard so never complicate things for yourself.

With daily sweeping, you can keep them in their original form without any fading or damage. However, deep cleaning is also important once a month or thrice a year.

If you have installed these floors in high foot traffic areas then you have to take special care. Engineered hardwood floors are water-resistant so don’t overuse water otherwise, they can be completely damaged due to moisture.

I hope this article will help you protect your wood floors from scratches and damage. I have mentioned the best methods that are easy to obtain.