Wood Floor Maintenance: The Ultimate Guide to Floor Cleaners

If you have wood floors in your home then you will be aware how they can get just as dirty as a carpet. Dust and debris may be swept up on a day to day basis but the daily dirt and grime that accumulates on your floor should be removed to improve the lifespan of your floor (and to make it look cleaner of course).

There are many floor cleaners around that work for different types of wood flooring. For plain laminate floors you could simply use a mop and soapy water but with a real wood floor you have to be more careful. Floor cleaners are often recommended by the manufacturer so be sure to check which they recommend as this is often a great way to know which product will work best on your floor.

An important feature to look out for when choosing wood floor cleaners is to check the acidity of the product. Acidic products will more often than not take the lacquer or polish off of your floor, so unless this is the desired effect, steer clear. Going for a pH neutral cleaner will ensure that you get a good clean without any side affects. Another key thing to look out for is if it will leave a residue. The last thing you need is to clean your wood flooring only for it to be covered with a residue from the cleaning product! If you are looking for a cleaner that is easy to apply then go for a spray bottle application. This will ensure an even application across the wood flooring and will give a cleaner look.

As with everything you should check regularly for nicks or dents in your wood flooring that may need to be attended to. Wood floor cleaners work very well but can't always reach into the deep holes made by a pair of stilettos. Making sure that your wood floor is in tip top condition every time you clean it will ensure that a problem won't go unnoticed for long. Always remember that if you are using a vacuum on your wood floor that you should use the soft brush attachment as a heavy vacuum cleaner may also cause scratches - not something you want when you are trying to clean!

Finally always be sure to follow the manufacturers cleaning instructions. They usually have a leaflet with the packaging informing you of the best way to clean your wood floor and how often you should do this routine. The information regarding the floor maintenance has been researched and tested to give you the best looking floor possible so try to adhere to their advice. Happy cleaning!