How To Clean Hardwood Floors

Hardwood floors are beautiful, but can be damaged easily by improper cleaning. Here's how to clean hardwood floors the right way, with simple step by step instructions.

While these floors can be easily damaged, that damage is typically caused by using too much water while cleaning them. Therefore, as long as you follow the simple instructions below you'll find the process actually isn't very difficult at all.

Step By Step Instructions

When you are ready to clean your hardwood floors, take the following steps:

1. Sweep the floor with a soft bristle broom, or vacuum it with a soft floor attachment, to get all the dust and loose dirt from the floor.



2. Get your hardwood floor cleaner ready. (If you are thinking of using vinegar to clean your floors check out my article about why vinegar, alone, will not clean your hardwood floors.)



3. Wet your mop, sponge or cleaning cloth with the cleaning solution and then wring it out thoroughly so that the mop or sponge is only slighty damp.



4. Mop the hardwood floor with your mop or wipe with your sponge being careful to never get the floor extremely wet with the cleaning solution.



5. Make sure to rinse your mop or sponge thoroughly as it gets dirty. Small amounts of grit or dirt in the cleaning solution can scratch the floor if you're not careful.



6. Change out your bucket of hardwood floor cleaner for fresh if it becomes too dirty.



7. After washing the floor, rinse it with plain warm water. (Again, when rinsing you just dampen the mop or sponge -- do not ever get the floor extremely wet.)



8. After the floor is rinsed make sure it is completely dry, or dry it thoroughly. You can buff it at the same time, if you wish, with either an electric buffer or a buffing pad.

Related Pages You May Enjoy

How To Clean Things Around The House

Go from How To Clean Hardwood Floors to Home Page