Wood floors can be a wonderful addition to any home. Many people love wood floors because of their versatility when it comes to decor, as well as the natural beauty they can bring to a home. Another reason why homeowners love wood floors is that they are considered to be low maintenance compared to other floor surfaces. However, it would be a mistake to assume that just because you have wood floors, you do not have to do anything to maintain or care for them.

In fact, proper maintenance of wood floors is essential if you want to protect them and keep them looking in the best shape possible for your home — not to mention, keeping them sanitary for your family and visitors to your home. The only way to effectively maintain hardwood surfaces is to hire a professional hardwood floor cleaner to periodically deep clean, sanitize, polish, and renew your floors, in order to keep them clean and looking fresh.

How do you deep clean wood floors?

In between your professional deep cleanings, however, there are things you can do to help maintain the integrity and health of your hardwood floors. Here are a few tips:

• Sweep or dust daily

Probably the best thing you can do for your hardwood floor is to sweep or dust them regularly with a gentle broom or cloth. Over time, dust particles, as well as dirt and grime, can build up on the surface and in the grain of the wood. Allergens and bacteria that accumulate on the floor not only can spread through the home and be detrimental to one’s health, but they can also cause damage to the floor through scrapes and other surface damage. For this reason, it is important to use a gentle broom that won’t scratch your floor.

• Mop

Mopping is also a common way many people try to keep their hardwood floors clean. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when mopping. First, try to avoid traditional store-bought soaps and detergents, as these tend to leave a sheen or film on the surface, and may even contain harmful chemicals. Next, it is crucial to avoid allowing water to pool on your floor. Pooling water can cause the wood to warp and result in permanent damage. To avoid this, wring your mop out thoroughly before you use it, and if necessary, dry your floors manually after mopping.

• Vacuum

An alternative to mopping is vacuuming, although care should be taken. Vacuums are heavy, and also have the potential to scratch the surface of your hardwood floors. Be sure to use a vacuum that has a hard floor function and be cautious of vacuums that have beater bars and wheels that could cause dents.

• Buff the floor with a non-abrasive material

After clearing the dirt, buffing your hardwood floor can be a great way to clear remaining dirt and give your floor some extra shine. Use a microfiber cloth or a non-abrasive towel to avoid scuffs, and work in the direction of the grain.

• Don’t use oils or waxes

While oils, waxes, and similar store-bought products may seem like a good idea to keep your floor looking shiny, they often result in the build-up of residue, and can cause lasting damage.

• Have them professionally cleaned

The most effective way to keep your hardwood floors in top condition and protect your investment in them is to have them professionally cleaned. This will not only deep clean them to make them and your home healthier, but it will restore the natural beauty and add a shine that will help prevent future build-up.

How to Choose a Hardwood Floor Cleaner: The Chem-Dry Process

The Chem-Dry professional wood floor cleaning process is the safest and most effective way to clean solid wood and engineered wood floors as well as LVT (or luxury vinyl tile) flooring. This is because of the many benefits of our superior process, including:

• A deep clean using industry-leading equipment, including rotating brushes that remove dirt, grime, and allergens from deep in the grain of the wood
• A green-certified hardwood floor cleaner that is safe for both people and pets
• Minimal use of water to protect the wood from damage
• A vacuum that extracts both water and contaminants
• An optional sanitizer to eliminate bacteria
• A durable polish that leaves a protective barrier and healthy shine

For more specifics, here’s an overview of the steps in our thorough, industry-leading process:

Inspection

Our professionally trained Chem-Dry technicians will first perform a complete inspection to make sure that your floors get the right service for them. They will check for deep scratches and other blemishes, as well as whether your floor has an acrylic coating.

Polish or Acrylic Coating Removal

If your hardwood flooring does have acrylic coating or other floor polish build-up, our experts will inspect the floor surface for coatings and remove it using our Wood Floor Polish Remover.

Deep Clean

After removing any remaining polish residue, our team will deep clean your floor using our industry-leading equipment and green-certified hardwood floor cleaner. This process will remove dirt, grime, dust and other allergens both on the surface and within the grain of the wood. Your floor can then be sanitized to eliminate bacteria and germs.

Wood Floor Polish

Finally, a wood floor polish will be used on your floor to finish it with a subtle protective layer that highlights the natural beauty of the wood and provides a layer of protection against future dirt and other harmful elements until your next cleaning.

When choosing a hardwood floor cleaner, the best decision for you and your home is to go with Chem-Dry – a company and name you trust. Our professional wood floor cleaning is not only the best option for getting your wood floors looking beautiful again but also the best way to keep them clean and sanitary for you and your family. Chem-Dry is the Healthy Home Authority when it comes to keeping your home clean and healthy, including wood floor cleaning.