Cleaning Hardwood Floors – Wet Weather Care

Cleaning hardwood floors after snow, wet shoes, and ice-melt have been tracked into your home is necessary. Armstrong-Citywide knows a few things about hardwood floors and we can help you care for your hardwood or engineered wood floors to ensure long-lasting beauty. Here are some of the things to consider when caring for your hardwood floors.

Using rugs and floor mats in the entryway is a must. The best ones are made with a solid, non-slip backing that won’t discolor the flooring and will absorb the moisture that gets tracked in. Shake and dry the mats frequently. Leaving a soaked mat on the hardwood floor can cause staining or even warping.

When a spill occurs, it’s important to get it mopped up right away. Cleaning hardwood floors is a much harder task when stains from spills have been left too long. Keep a good non-abrasive and absorbent mop or a soft cotton cloth handy for quick clean-up. Having everyone remove their shoes as soon as they enter so they don’t step onto the floors will also help preserve the finish. Make sure you have a designated bench or shelf for shoes at the entry.

Cleaning hardwood floors is important in any season, but with the winter weather in Kansas City, you can always expect be wiping and mopping, especially near doorways. If you use the proper supplies, your job will be easier with better results. A high-quality microfiber or cotton mop that traps the dirt and salt particles will work better than one that leaves debris behind to be ground into the finish of your hardwood floors. You can also use a vacuum with a soft bristle roller-brush. A dry mop can work but you should use it as directed by the manufacturer.

Be careful of chemical and caustic chemicals for cleaning hardwood floors. One good product that works well is Windex window cleaner without ammonia. Another is Bona wood floor cleaner, or even distilled water will do a good job. Steam cleaners are not recommended for cleaning hardwood floors as they can actually damage the floors. A damp mop or lightly misting with the cleaner is the best option for cleaning hardwood floors. Frequent sweeping is recommended. To minimize scratching when vacuuming, make sure you are using a soft brush roller; a hard beater bar can damage the floors. You can extend the life of your wood floors for many years with proper cleaning and maintenance.

You have invested a lot of money in your flooring and the best way to protect that investment is to adhere to the consistent care of them. If the harsh weather or any other events have caused damage to your floors, we at Armstrong-Citywide are prepared to come to your home and do our best to bring your floors back to their original beauty.

Call us today at 816-765-7777 or visit our website at https://armstrgcitywd.wpengine.com. We’ll provide an estimate at no charge!