How to Safely Mop Hardwood Floors According to Cleaning Experts
Wanna know how to mop hardwood floors the right way and avoid the stress of deciding on the correct cleaning method for mopping hardwood floors? Then here are Zerorez's best tips for cleaning hardwood floors.
Hardwood floors are a beautiful and timeless addition to any home, but to keep them looking their best, it's essential to clean them regularly.
However, improper cleaning methods and products can damage the wood's finish, leading to costly repairs or replacements. In this guide, we'll walk you through the steps to safely and effectively mop your hardwood floors, ensuring they maintain their natural beauty for years to come.
What You Need to Mop Hardwood Floors
Before we dive into the mopping process, gather the following mopping materials:
Soft Broom or Vacuum Cleaner: Start by removing loose dirt, dust, and debris from the floor's surface. Yes, you can vacuum hardwood floors, as long as you use a vacuum cleaner with a hardwood floor attachment, or turn off the rotating brush, so you can prevent scratching,
Microfiber Mop or Cloth: These are gentle on hardwood and excellent at collecting and trapping dirt in them.
Wood-Friendly Cleaning Solution: Opt for a pH-balanced, hardwood floor-specific cleaner. Avoid products containing harsh chemicals, ammonia, oil, or abrasive agents. See below for more details about specific cleaning products and our post on cleaning products to avoid with hardwood floors.
Bucket(s): A clean bucket for mixing your cleaning solution with water is essential. Another bucket can be used for wringing out the dirty water from your mop as well.
Warm Water: Use warm, not hot, water when mixing your cleaning solution.
Step-by-Step Guide to Mopping Hardwood Floors
Sweep the Hardwood Floor First: Sweep or vacuum the floor to remove dust and dirt. This step prevents debris from scratching the wood's surface when you mop, and makes for a cleaner mop job.
Mix Your Mopping Cleaning Solution: In your clean bucket, combine the recommended amount of your wood-friendly cleaning solution with warm water. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for the correct dilution ratio. Always err on using less cleaning solution over more. If you don't have a cleaning product, mopping without soap or detergents, just water, still works!
Dampen Your Mop: Dip your microfiber mop or cloth into the cleaning solution. Wring it out thoroughly, ensuring it's just damp, not soaking wet. Excess water can damage the wood.
Begin with the End in Mind: Start mopping from one end of the room and work your way towards the exit. This prevents you from walking on the freshly cleaned areas.
Use Gentle Mopping Strokes: Avoid using excessive force when mopping. Gentle back-and-forth or side-to-side motions are usually sufficient to clean the hardwood surface.
Rinse and Repeat. Once your mop gets too dry or gets too dirty, dip the mop back into your mopping bucket, and repeat steps 3-5 again until the area you are cleaning is all mopped.
Dry as You Go: To prevent moisture from sitting on the floor, immediately follow the damp mop with a dry microfiber cloth or mop to absorb any excess liquid.
Spot Cleaning: For stubborn stains or sticky spots, apply a small amount of your cleaning solution directly to the affected area and gently scrub with a soft cloth and then wipe up. Rinse with clean water and dry afterward.
Avoid Excessive Water: Never saturate the hardwood floor. Too much water can penetrate the wood, causing warping, cupping, or swelling of the hardwood.
Keeping the hardwood floors clean is the best way to make them last. If you need help with the upkeep and cleaning, use these tips to help. Remember that if you have doubts, test a small area of the floor first!
How to Clean Hardwood Floor with a Spin Mop
Using a spin mop can be a great way to clean hardwood floors because you can use the spin the mop head to wring out any excess water or liquid, helping you prevent excess moisture on your hardwood.
The spin mop's wringing mechanism allows you to more easily control the moisture level on the mop head, rather than wringing it out by hand. You'll mop the same as above, only using this type of mop.
How to Mop Without a Bucket
If you don't have a mopping bucket, you can always plug up your kitchen or utility sink, and use it as your "bucket."
How to Mop Hardwood with a Flat Mop
If you have a flat mop, or a mop with removeable, reusable washable microfiber pads or cloths, you also don't typically dip those into a mop bucket, as you can't easily wring them out.
Instead, you'll fill a spray bottle with your mopping solution of warm water and your wood-friendly cleaning agent of choice.
After prepping the floor by sweeping, you'll lightly spray a small section of the hardwood floor with the cleaning solution and then move your flat mop in that section. Continue spraying and mopping until the whole area has been cleaned.
How Often Should I Mop My Hardwood Floor?
It's essential to mop your hardwood floors regularly but not excessively. Depending on your household's foot traffic, aim for weekly or bi-weekly mopping to keep them looking their best.
It's also recommended you implement some hardwood floor protective measures like using furniture pads and area rugs in high-traffic areas to reduce wear and tear. Ensure that mats placed near entryways are clean and free of debris. You'll also want to apply a sealant with any professional hardwood floor cleaning service to protect your floors.
Common Questions on Mopping Hardwood Floors
Is Fabuloso safe for hardwood floors?
According to the manufacturer, you can safely use Fabuloso on hardwood floors. Just like anything with liquid and wood, use and then clean off any excess liquid so it can completely dry in a short period of time.
If you're worried about how it will react to your flooring, you can always clean a small space and let it dry and see what you think.
Can I use Oxiclean to mop hardwood floors?
A lot of people love the cleaning power of Oxiclean but wonder if it's safe to use on wood floors. While the answer is that it is safe, it's also important to make sure that you're following the directions to dilute it before use.
Oxiclean comes in a variety of concentrations, so read the label before use. There are some that include ingredients that could change the coloring of hardwood floors, so thoroughly reading labels is the best approach.
Can you use Swiffer to mop hardwood floors?
Yes! Swiffer dry mops and wet mops can be used on hardwood floors, as long as you're picking one of their products that is safe for use on wood flooring.
Again, take the time to read and educate yourself, and then buy the one that states it is safe to use on hardwood.
Can you steam clean a hardwood floor?
To safely steam clean hardwood floors, you have to make sure that you're cleaning and using it on floors that are sealed. If you choose to use it on flooring that hasn't been sealed, then you risk ruining the wood floors and/or giving them water damage.
The floor has to be sealed because you're using hot steam and water, both of which can make unsealed hardwood floors warp.
How to mop hardwood floors with vinegar
We actually don't recommend using vinegar to mop your hardwood flooring, but a lot of people do.
The biggest thing that you need to keep in mind when you're cleaning with vinegar is that you need to make sure that you dilute it with water.
Diluting it with warm water is key to cutting the acidity so that you can clean the floors and get them streak-free. Plan on using 2 cups of warm water with every ¼ cup of vinegar.
Mopping hardwood floors doesn't have to be a daunting task. With the right materials and a gentle touch, you can safely and effectively clean your floors, preserving their natural beauty and longevity. Remember to always choose wood-friendly cleaning products, use minimal moisture, and maintain a regular cleaning routine to ensure your hardwood floors stay in pristine condition for years to come.
When you are ready for a deep, professional hardwood cleaning service, be sure to call Zerorez®, as they can safely and effectively remove the dirt and debris stuck between your hardwood floor planks, in the grooves and knots, and reseal them to have them look brand new, all without the cost of sanding and refinishing them.
