How to Clean Wood Floors Carefully and Deeply

April 23, 2024 | Cleaning Tips

If you have wood floors, you know that they require special care and attention. You also know that keeping them clean can be a challenge, especially if you have kids or pets. But don't worry -- we're here to help!

In this post, we'll share our top tips for cleaning your wood floors carefully and deeply. So grab your mop and bucket, and let's get started!

What is the best way to clean wooden floors?

Cleaning wooden floors is not just about aesthetics; it's essential for maintaining the longevity and beauty of your flooring. From deep cleaning techniques to handling stubborn stains and exploring natural cleaning options, discover how to effectively remove dirt, grime, and stains while avoiding common pitfalls that could damage your wood floors.

How to deep clean wooden floors

Deep cleaning your wooden floors twice a year not only preserves their beauty but also reduces dirt and grime build-up.

Clean your floor with an indoor broom to get rid of dust, hair, and other particles in one sweep. Daily sweeping and dusting helps to prevent your floors from scratching. In addition, spot clean promptly. Clean up spills as they happen with an absorbent cloth or microfiber spray mop.
Use a spin mop to wring out excess water. Mopping your wooden floor is imperative to help prevent the wood from degrading over time. O-Cedar spin mop systems feature a foot-wringing pedal to help control the moisture level of your mop. This keeps the floors from becoming too wet, which can damage hardwood. The moisture content of the mops can be optimally determined according to your floor type.
Check your cleaning product's instructions. Check the floor manufacturing manual: Some wooden floors may advise the best way to clean your wooden floor. This could be only using water. All O-Cedar microfiber mop heads can remove 99% of bacteria with just water, making these a brilliant cleaning tool for your wooden floors.
Finally, let your floor air dry. You can hasten this process by turning on the heat or opening your windows.

Cleaning old wooden floors without damage

Maintaining the charm and finish of old wooden floors requires careful cleaning. Here's a simple guide:

Start by sweeping or vacuuming off dust, dirt and debris. Use high-quality brooms and brush sets for efficient cleaning.
Treat dirt spots or loose debris using a dry mop and a concentrated cleaner. Avoid bleach or excessive finishing products as they may discolor or damage your floors.
For stubborn stains, use a damp cloth, ensuring it's wrung out properly.
For oiled flooring, use an oil-based treatment to keep it from drying out.
Lastly, prevent unnecessary wear and tear by establishing a shoe-free policy. Regular maintenance is vital!

Remember, over-saturation with water can lead to warping or cracking your wood.

Pro tip: Always start cleaning in a small, less visible area to ensure the cleaner doesn't discolour or damage your floors.

How can we get stains out of hardwood floors?

When it comes to removing stubborn stains from hardwood floors, having the right tools at your disposal can make all the difference. Quality floor care products like mops, and brooms, such as those offered by O-Cedar, can be invaluable allies in your battle against stains while taking care of your floors.

Get paint off wood floors

Paint splatters happen, right? When paint meets your wooden floor, don't stress. Here's how to deal with it:

Using a few drops of dishwashing liquid mixed with hot water, wet a cloth and scrub the paint spot. Wipe it off with a dry rag as it loosens.
Being stubborn? Try a gentle scrape with an old credit card.
For tough, oil-based paint, consider an eco-friendly, citrus-based paint remover.

Remember: always follow the floor oil and dishwashing liquid mix with a mild or pH-neutral cleaner, like O-Cedar PACS Hard Floor Cleaner. Avoid harsh chemicals; they might damage the floor. Stay consistent with your floor's original oil color when choosing a cleaning product. Happy cleaning!

Get wax off the wood floor

Start by understanding the importance of proper wax removal from wood floors. Crayon marks, chewing gum, and candle wax on your floor can marr its look and potentially harm its finish if not treated correctly.
Utilize ice to your advantage. Put a few ice cubes in a bag and place it over the wax until it's brittle.
Scrape off the brittle wax carefully with a plastic spatula. Be gentle to avoid stripping your floor's protective finish.
If you accidently strip the wax off and end up damaging the finish of the floor, use a soft cloth to reapply solvent-based hardwood floor wax, buffing the area until it shines.
Regular biannual deep-cleaning of your floor helps to maintain its look and longevity. Don't wait to see grimy build-up; stay ahead of it.

Tips to clean a wooden floor naturally

When it comes to maintaining the timeless charm of your hardwood floors, natural cleaning solutions can be your most trusted allies. O-Cedar PACS Hard Floor Cleaner use naturally-derived ingredients, including plant enzymes, to deliver a powerful clean without harsh chemicals. Discover the art of preserving your wooden floors' beauty while keeping them clean with these valuable tips.

Clean wooden floors with O-Cedar PACS Hard Floor Cleaner

O-Cedar PACS use the plant enzyme lipase to target stubborn dirt and grime, naturally dissolving them away.

Start by dropping one PAC into your mop bucket, along with 1.6 gallons of water (the volume of a standard mop bucket). PACS were specially designed to work with O-Cedar mopping systems, and are perfectly portioned. No pouring or measuring required – just drop in one PAC and get mopping!
Once the PAC is disolved, mop your floors as usual. Enjoy the refreshing scent of Crisp Citrus or Lavender as you mop. Follow the grain of the wood for best results.
Allow the floor to air dry.

How to remove scuff marks

Dirt isn't always the main culprit. When you move furniture or wear shoes indoors, you may notice scuffs on your hardwood floors. Luckily, they can easily be rubbed away with some elbow grease.

To remove a light scuff, buff it out with a sock or a clean, fuzzy tennis ball.
To remove heavier scuffs, apply baking soda to a damp sponge and gently rub the mark until it disappears. Rinse with a damp paper towel and buff dry.

Can you steam-clean wooden floors?

Although steam cleaners can sanitize many surfaces, they don't suit hardwood floors. The vapor's high temperature and moisture level can discolor, warp, or even crack the wood, especially if not properly sealed.

Conclusion

In conclusion, maintaining clean and well-preserved wood floors requires careful attention and the use of appropriate cleaning methods and products. Regular deep cleaning, using suitable cleaning solutions, and employing high-quality brooms, mops and cleaning solutions are essential to ensure the longevity and beauty of your wooden floors.

To achieve the best results, we recommend using O-Cedar’s top-notch cleaning products. O-Cedar microfiber spin mops feature generously sized buckets with wringers that will remove all the excess water, meaning that your floors will not get too wet. With O-Cedar’s reliable and effective tools, you can easily and safely clean your wooden floors, keeping them free from dirt, grime, and stains. Embrace the convenience and efficiency of O-Cedar’s cleaning solutions to maintain the natural charm of your wood floors.

So why wait? Take action now and try O-Cedar’s cleaning products to give your wood floors the care they deserve. Experience the difference they can make in keeping your floors looking pristine and beautiful. Happy cleaning with O-Cedar!

FAQS

You should not clean wood floors with excessive water: It can damage the wood if it gets underneath. Use a spin mop with a foot wringer to control the water levels. Oils, waxes, or furniture sprays can leave residue, create slippery surfaces, and make re-coating difficult. Avoid harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners, straight ammonia, alkaline products, chlorine bleach, pine oil, or undiluted vinegar, and steam cleaners, as they can dull, scratch, or damage the finish.

You need to mop your hardwood floors once a week in high-traffic areas like the dining room and kitchen. Use a microfiber mop dampened with O-Cedar PACS Hard Floor Cleaner or just water. Always mop following the wood grain and let it dry completely before walking on it. For spots with less foot traffic, mopping once a month or even once a season should suffice. For instance, if you own a pet, mopping twice a week helps maintain cleanliness. Avoid a wet mop or excessive water to prevent damage. Always remember -- less is often more when mopping wood floors.

Your wood floors may still look dirty after mopping due to a few common issues. One key factor could be a dirty mop that isn't properly cleaned between rounds, as it won't pick up new dirt effectively. Using our RinseClean spin mop and bucket system can help – this innovative mop features a two-bucket system to separate clean and dirty water, so you are always cleaning with clean!

Another issue could be dirty mop refills. At O-Cedar, all our microfiber mop heads are machine washable and reusable. This way, you save money on expensive disposable wipes and minimize your waste. Don’t forget to keep extra refills on hand, so you’re ready for any mess.

Another reason could be using too much water while mopping, which could seep into the wood, making it look unclean. Overuse of cleaning products also sometimes leaves floors sticky and prone to attracting dirt. Hence, keeping the floor dry, using a mop with a foot wringer, and regularly rinsing your mop can help achieve a better clean.

Streaking on hardwood floors is unsightly markings caused by various cleaning mishaps. To prevent it:

Wipe spills immediately. Leftover moisture can discolor your floors.
Dust mop daily or weekly. It removes loose soil, dust, and debris that can scratch your floor finish.
Use good quality doormats and clean them regularly to catch dirt.
Vacuum frequently, but avoid hardhead vacuums that can damage your floor.
Avoid excess water when mopping, and clear of harsh detergents.
Lastly, test any new cleaning agents in a discreet area to prevent unwanted discolorations.

The O-Cedar ProMist MAX Microfiber Spray Mop is ideal for all sealed hard floors, including delicate surfaces such as wood. The spray mop uses microfiber technology to remove dirt, grease, dust particles and removes over 99% of bacteria with just water. Always ready to use and with no need for a bucket, thanks to the integrated water bottle and spray function. Simply press the lever on the handle to release just the right amount of moisture depending on your floor type. The spray covers the full width of mop head.