what is the best way to clean a wood floor?

Answer 1

A shiny wood floor is a beautiful thing. Keeping it that way requires regular, gentle attention.

Whether your floor is finished with wax or polyurethane, remember that water is its enemy. You should never wet-mop, since that can put far too much water onto the floorboards. And contrary to fairly common advice, you should never use diluted vinegar or ammonia to clean polyurethane. The acid can etch the finish, making it dull and hard to keep clean.

Even oil soaps sold specifically for cleaning wood can leave a sticky residue that traps dust. Many professionals won't refinish a polyurethane floor if oil soap has been used, for fear the residue will cause the new finish to peel.

The news, however, is not all bad. For both wax and polyurethane finishes, the safest (and easiest) method is simply to vacuum regularly. Wipe away sticky spills with a damp cloth and then rub with a clean, dry cloth until the area is dry.

For stains and more stubborn spills, take the following steps:

• Chewing gum, crayon or spilled candle wax can be removed using ice.

For a polyurethane finish, first cover the area for 5 minutes with a plastic (leakproof) bag filled with ice. The cold will cause the substance to become brittle and pop free; you can then scrape away any residue with a spoon or credit card. Follow with a cleaner made specifically for polyurethane.

For a wax finish, cover chewing gum with a plastic bag filled with ice for 5 minutes, then scrape it away, as above. Candle wax or crayon can be removed with the ice method, or by softening with a blow-dryer set on warm. Scrape away the softened substance, then buff with a dry cotton cloth.

• White spots are probably dried spills. On polyurethane, rub the area with a slightly damp cloth, or use a cleaner formulated for polyurethane. On wax, rub the spot with extra-fine steel wool (No. 000), then wax it. Let wax dry, and buff with a cotton cloth.

• Dark spots (from water, ink or pet stains) are trickier to repair. For polyurethane, you can rub minor stains with fine steel wool (No. 00). Then you'll need to spot-refinish. This is done by very gently abrading the area (with a fine-grit sandpaper or, better, a floor scrub pad), cleaning it with a product formulated for polyurethane, then applying a new coat of polyurethane.

Keep in mind that matching the color of polyurethane can be tricky. An oil-based polyurethane will appear lighter than its surroundings at first and will darken with age. A water-based polyurethane will dry clear. Brushing the finish on with a foam paint pad, then thinning out the edges with a dry paintbrush will make the patch less noticeable.

For deeper stains, use oxalic acid, available at hardware stores: Mix with water to make a paste, leave on 5 to 10 minutes, then wipe off with a damp cloth. When dry, spot-refinish as above.

For wax, rub the stained area with fine steel wool. For deep water stains, apply an oxalic acid paste and leave on for 5 to 10 minutes, then wipe away with a dry cloth. Rub wax on the area, and buff with a cloth.

Answer 2

I use Pledge Wood Floor Cleaner (orange scent) with a slightly damp mop. I have a cat, a dog, and lots of company coming through all the time. It cleans up dirt you didn't even know was there. Make sure you follow directions and use a well wrung out mop - water isn't good for wood floors on a regular basis. I've been in this home for 4 years and do this every week - no damage and lots of people remark on how clean & shiny my floors always look.

Answer 3

go to walmart and get a large dust mop it has a changable whithe cloth mop head.
get bruce hard wood floor cleaner you have to get it at a flooring store.
all you do is spray the cleaner on the floor and use the mop to dry it up it satys a little wet for a few seconds there will be no streaks and it will shine for days the best part is that it takes me about 10 min to clean all the floor in my whole house and a bottle of cleaner will last about 2-3 months
I keep to clothes on hand for the mop so I can wash one and still have a clean one
I have a daycare and about 10 kids on my floor everyday

Answer 4

Wood floor care Never use water or water.based cleaners on wood floors. Over a period of time, warping and swelling will develop. Varnished floors Use cold tea to clean woodwork and varnished floors. How To Clean Your Hardwood Floors Here's How: Sweep wood floors often with a soft, fine bristle broom. Vacuum once or twice a week to remove dirt and sand. Use a soft brush attachment to minimize scratching. Since water is one of a wood floors worst enemies, get rid of water right away! Remove wet spills ASAP with soft towels or a wet/dry vacuum, then dry thoroughly. Use a very dry damp mop when mopping polyurethaned wood floors, since excess water can seep into seams and ruin a wood floor. Cleaning hardwood floors Make Cleaning, Refinishing or Polishing Easier with Orange Glo. Consider using carpet runners (with non-skid pads) over wood floors in high traffic areas. Vacuum area rugs and runners often so dirt doesn't filter down through the weave and scratch the wood underneath. If possible, do not wear heavy shoes or high heels on hardwood floors, as some heels can cause dents. Never drag furniture or other objects across a wood floor. Instead, clean the floor thoroughly to remove dust and grit, then use "gliding" furniture pads underneath the piece to aid sliding it across the floor. Install floor mats at each entrance so you don't track in dirt from the bottoms of shoes. Be sure to follow manufacturer recommendations to treat flooring scratches and dents. If an area of the finish is damaged by water, it may be difficult to fix it. Use furniture pads to place under table and chair legs and on the feet of dressers and armoires. They can be purchased at a local hardware store or home center. Some floors may require periodic waxing and buffing. Get recommendations from the manufacturer for the specific procedures for your floor. Tips: Use area rugs in high traffic areas. Always remove spills promptly. While small drips of water may not harm the floor, be sure not to let excess amounts of water sit on the floor. Find out cleaning and care requirements for your specific floor from the manufacturer. Good Luck !

Answer 5

You can clean it with a mop but this is not a guarantee that the cleaning will be done properly. The best way to get your floor cleaned in a professional way is to hire a cleaning company such as Sunny Clean for this job.

Answer 6

Well the simplest way in my opinion is to use a vacuum first,then to mop the floor,find an old rag or towel and then dry the floor,once done mopping it.

Answer 7

Vacuum thoroughly, them mop with Murphy's Oil Soap.
Don't be sloppy with the water. Use only enough to get the job done, and mop up ALL the excess.

Answer 8

For heavy duty cleaning, you can mop it with a solution of two cups vinegar to three gallons water.
For kitchen and dining room areas, adding a small amount of Ivory Liquid to the above solution will help degrease the surface.
Frequent degreasing is usually not necessary.

Answer 9

Murphy's Oil Soap

Answer 10

just with a spray on like pledge and a dry dust mop