Maintaining an engineered hardwood floor can be quite a daunting task. Especially as they are likely to be stained on and spilled on quite easily, such flooring needs proper care and maintenance so that it keeps looking vibrant and elegant. Thanks to various products like cleaning liquids, dusters, etc., available in the market today, maintaining your engineered hardwood floor has become easy with the right products and tools. Here are some tips to make sure that your floor looks well maintained and beautiful for a long time.
One of the most important steps of getting an engineered hardwood floor cleaning routine right is to pick the right floor cleaner. Typically, the marketplace is dominated by several cleaning brands which offer identical benefits and results for your floor. However, there are a few considerations that will help you to decide which floor cleaner to buy.
- Always opt for a floor cleaner that doesn’t leave a residue behind. Cleaners that are oil based or have a lot of soap content are likely to leave a film on your floor making it look dull. Any kind of liquid or paste wax, oil-based detergents and vinyl or tile cleaning products which contain lemon, citrus, vinegar, oil or silicon are not ideal for cleaning a hardwood floor.
- Check the composition of your cleaner and assess if it is safe to use, especially if you have younger kids and pets at home.
- Always use cleaners that are recommended for engineered hardwood flooring. Cleaners meant for use on marble or other kinds of flooring have different composition and may not be suitable for wooden flooring.
- Make sure that your cleaner is non-abrasive and easy to use. Ideally, your cleaning product must not leave traces or residue and should not require rinsing. In addition, it should be quick drying, with no VOCs.
- Out of convenience, many homeowners tend to opt for two in one cleaner. They are not recommended for engineered hardwood as they contain acrylics or urethane polish which are likely to damage the floor surface.
- Harsh cleaning aids like steel wool pads, scouring pads containing metal, or scouring powders can easily cause damage and scratches to your engineered wooden flooring.
- Completely avoid wet or steam mopping your hardwood floor. Not only do they damage the wood but also cause cupping or even long-term damages.
Engineered hardwood cleaning routine
Engineered hardwood flooring is extremely easy to maintain and care for as long as their maintenance is included as part of your daily cleaning routine. Use only recommended products for your floor and avoid using wax-based cleaners, harsh surfactants, or steel wool to clean engineered hardwood flooring.
It is best to prevent the buildup of dirt, debris and spills for as long as possible. This will help you conserve the original appearance of your flooring. Here are some tips that will ensure that your engineered hardwood flooring keeps looking great for a long time.
- Make sure to clean, sweep and dry your hardwood floor on a daily basis. You can try to use either a vacuum cleaner or a broom to achieve the desired results. Microfiber dust mops are excellent for clearing dirt and debris from the floor.
- It is important to wipe off any spills as soon as they occur. Exposing your hardwood floor to liquid spills can cause irreversible damage like cupping or staining.
- In addition, avoid using high heeled shoes or shoes with spikes on your engineered wooden floor because they can cause severe scratching to the upper-most layer of your floor.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding proper cleaning and maintenance of your engineered hardwood flooring, speak to an expert at Tile Inc. for sound advice. Their team of experts can help you answ