Hardwood floors can be one of the most beautiful features in your home. Hardwoods are durable, but do require cleaning and polishing to keep them looking great. You might wonder how often you should clean and polish your floors. Here are some tips to help you.
- Clean dirt often, but never let water sit on the floors. Use a hardwood floor cleaner to clean dirt off your floors regularly. If your home is subject to a lot of traffic from children and pets, you may need to clean some areas daily. However, never let water sit on your floors, as it can eat away at the finish, and even ruin the wood. Many hardwood floor cleaners contain water, which does not cause a problem as long as the floors are not left too wet when you’re finished. Go back over the floor with a dry mop if needed.
- Polish floors regularly. In addition to hardwood floor cleaner, invest in a floor polish or shine product. Use it no more than once a week, and beware that it can make floors very slippery.
- Dust mop regularly. If you have light traffic on your floors, you may not need to clean with floor cleaner as often as someone with heavy floor traffic. Instead, use a dust mop every other day or so to keep floors dust free. Leaving dust and dirt on your hardwood floors can cause tiny scratches that ruin the finish over time.
By following these three simple tips, you can keep your hardwood floors looking great for years to come. In addition to being beautiful, hardwood floors add value to your home, so it’s important to be diligent about keeping them in great shape. Regular cleaning with the right products and tools ensure your floors stay in tiptop shape.
