Can You Vacuum Hardwood Floors?

Most people only have a vague understanding of what they should do to maintain hardwood surfaces. So what is the best way to treat and protect your pristine hardwood floors? Are moist rags the answer to getting up all that gunk, or is mopping the best way to detox from germs? Surely vacuuming can't be good for hardwood…or can it?

We have all heard the age old horror stories of vacuuming hardwood floors and why we should not dare go near those beautiful floorboards with the Hoover, but in fact, vacuuming your hardwood floors is actually a good thing if done properly.

Your vacuum is a powerful tool that can help get all of that annoying debris out from the tricky crevices in your hardwood floor. Nothing removes dirt from the superficial cracks of your floor quite like a vacuum cleaner, thanks to its suctioning strength. In fact, vacuums are superior to mopping practices when it comes to your hardwood, because they suck up the debris and dirt straight away, rather than just spreading those scratch-causing particles around. Plus most products (including vinegar) people use to mop their hardwood floors will leave a sticky chemical residue that will attract dust and debris causing the floors to get scratched and become dull over time. All that grit builds up and grinds away at your hardwood floors causing permanent (and expensive) damage.

When looking to vacuum your hardwood floor, remember that the quality and type of your vacuum makes a huge difference. The best choice for hardwood floor vacuuming is a canister vacuum with a long, oval floor brush attached. This type of vacuum will help you to be in complete control, reach hard corners, and is gentler on the floor than simple upright models. However, if you only have access to an upright vacuum, be sure to turn off the rotating brush to keep the bristles from scratching your floor.

While vacuuming your hardwood floors is a good way to remove excess dirt and debris from your home, it is important to remember to always be mindful of the force you are applying to your hardwood and how often you are doing so. Vacuum your floor at least once a week to help cut down on build up, and keep your flooring scratch free.

Pro Tip: One other recommendation is to stop wearing shoes in the home. There are a variety of reasons this is a good practice, one of which is that it cuts down on soil accumulation and related damage to your floors.

Stop tip-toeing around your hardwood floors, and grab a vacuum today to keep your floors clean and scratch-free. And when all that debris and buildup gets too difficult to remove on your own, Zerorez^® has an amazing (and easy!) hardwood cleaning process that safely deep cleans, prolonging the life of your hardwood floors for decades if maintained regularly.