How to Clean Hardwood Floors

How to clean hardwood floors -- techniques for your house cleaning business.

Hardwood floors are a beautiful floor covering in any home and, when cared for properly, can greatly increase the property value as well. Cleaning hardwood floors is a very simple process. Just follow these steps.

Step 1: Sweep the floors with a broom or dust mop. It's important that you remove all dust, dirt, and debris from the floor surface before continuing. Be thorough... get into all of the corners of the room, and move furniture if necessary to get beneath it. Be careful when moving heavier furniture pieces.

Step 2: Make warm soapy water, with either dish detergent, or a Lysol type product. A bucket can be used, or the sink of bathtub can be plugged and the solution made in them. Get a clean cotton mop, and scrub the floors with it, re-wetting when necessary. Sponge mops are not very effective on hardwood floors. Be sure to wring out the mop to avoid putting excess moisture on the floor. Get into every corner. When this is complete, clean the mop thoroughly, and place it upright outside to dry. It is not a good idea to put wet mop heads into the dryer.

Step 3: Finish up with a polishing oil made specifically for hardwood floors (found in stores that sell hardwood floor cleaners). Directions will vary based on the product, but in general, the product is applied and allowed to sit for a short period of time -- a few minutes to a few hours -- and then the excess is removed. These polishes will make the floor very slippery while they are sitting, and walking on them should be avoided until the excess is removed and the floor is dry.

Tips for How to Clean Hardwood Floors

• To prevent scratches, scuffs, and general wear, place area rugs or runners in high-traffic areas.
  
• Small, felt-bottomed plastic pieces can be purchased to put beneath the legs of large pieces of furniture to prevent gouges and scrapes.
  
• If scrapes or gouges do occur, there are wood fillers available in most colors. These are used like putty. Place into the scratch, remove the excess, and allow to set for about twenty-four hours.
  
• When wringing out a mop by hand, use gloves to protect sensitive skin on the hands from extended exposure to harsh chemicals.

It's important to clean hardwood floors on a regular basis. When cared for properly and regularly cleaned and polished, wood floors will retain their beauty and shine for decades.

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