How to Clean and Maintain Hardwood Floors

Hardwood floors develop a rich patina over time and add rustic charm and appeal to nearly any home. Learning how to clean and maintain your hardwood floors properly will add to their timeless quality.

Daily care
The number-one enemy of hardwood floors is dirt, along with its cousins grit and sand. To prevent dirt, grit, and sand from scratching or dulling the finish, simply vacuum your hardwood floors on a regular basis and clean with a damp-not wet--cotton mop once or twice a month. Use doormats or small area rugs at entrances and in high-traffic areas to trap dirt and other fine particles.

Whether your hardwood floors are finished with wax, varnish, or polyurethane, any food or liquid that spills on the floor should be wiped up immediately with a damp cloth and then dried with a clean towel. Water and other liquids should not remain on the surface of hardwood floors because they might damage the finish or seep in between the floorboards and cause warping.

To remove stains caused by ink or water, clean the spot with a wood floor cleaner, and then rinse with a vinegar and water solution. Dry thoroughly with a clean cloth. Using fine-grade sand paper or #0000 steel wool, gently rub the stain along the grain of the wood until it is gone. Buff with a clean cloth or rewax the spot. If necessary, reapply the finish with a small varnish brush.

Quarterly care
Several times a year, hardwood floors should be cleaned to remove surface grease and dirt that may have accumulated. A neutral-pH cleaning product specifically formulated for wood floors is the best choice. If the cleaning solution is not pH neutral, follow up with a vinegar rinse using ¼ cup of cider or white vinegar to one gallon of water. Doing so removes any residue that might remain on the floor's surface that prevents varnish and other finishes from adhering properly when it comes time to refinish your floors.

Straight ammonia or ammonia-based cleaning products should not be used on hardwood floors because they will dull the finish and possibly cause discoloration of the wood. Wet mopping with a liquid soap detergent or using abrasive cleaners is also not recommended because either one has the potential to strip the finish or cause it to deteriorate prematurely.

Buffing is only required for hardwood floors with a wax finish and should be done once or twice a year at most. Spot buffing however, is effective at removing scuff marks that commonly occur on waxed floors. Most newer and many older hardwood floors have a polyurethane finish and don't need to be buffed or waxed at all.

Preventative care
Hardwood floors are easily gouged and dented by sharp or heavy objects. To prevent this from occurring, use felt pads under furniture legs and feet. Sunlight is known to change the color of some hardwood floors dramatically. Consider drawing the drapes or closing the blinds to avoid excessive discoloration in one spot, especially if there are south- and west-facing windows in the room.

With proper care and maintenance, you can keep your hardwood floors looking new for many years.