Introduction
Cleaning engineered wood floors is an essential part of the ongoing maintenance regime that flooring deserves. After all, proper engineered hardwood floor maintenance will not only preserve the appearance of your floor, but also extend its lifespan. In short, if you want to get the best out of your investment, then knowing how to clean wood flooring will be beneficial. That’s why we’ve put together this handy engineered wood floor maintenance guide. Read on to learn more about the best engineered wood floor cleaning techniques.
Understanding Engineered Wood Flooring
To begin with, engineered wood flooring stands out among all of flooring options you could choose due to its multi-layered construction. The surface layer of real hardwood is backed by layers of high-density fibreboard or plywood. This composition enhances stability, reducing the chances of warping or swelling. It’s crucial to understand this makeup before embarking on DIY cleaning for any engineered wood floors. Why? Because as the protective layer on top is sensitive to certain cleaning products and maintenance methods meaning that cleaning engineered wood floors takes a little know-how to get right.
Pre-Cleaning Preparation
Among the many tips for cleaning engineered wood floors, the first one should be preparation. In the engineered wood floor maintenance guide, what this boils down to is pre-cleaning. Before applying any cleaning solution, your engineered wood floor care regime should involve sweeping or vacuuming the floor to remove loose debris, dust and dirt. It is advisable to use soft-bristle brooms, microfibre mops, or vacuum cleaners which have specific hardwood settings. Pre-cleaning preparation should minimise the risk of scratches during the cleaning process, thereby protecting your floor’s finish.
Choosing the Right Cleaning Products
Selecting the correct cleaning products is essential for sound engineered wood floor care. Choose cleaning solutions specifically designed for engineered wood floors, not general ones. What you want is something that will cleanse without causing damage when cleaning engineered wood floors. Steer clear of harsh chemicals or ones that make use of abrasion. Likewise, steam cleaners and the need to use lots of water can wear down the protective layer, causing either unwanted discoloration or unattractive swelling in sections of the floor.
Cleaning Techniques
Moving onto engineered wood floor cleaning techniques, the key thing to remember is that gentle cleansing without over-wetting the floor is always the best approach to take. Start by dampening a mop or microfibre cloth with a mild cleaning solution with all engineered wood flooring cleaning jobs. Ensure whichever you use – a mop or a cloth – is well wrung out before using it. Engineered wood floor care should involve following the grain of the wood, not working against it. Remember, that water is the biggest problem with DIY cleaning for engineered wood floors, so less is definitely more here in this regard.
Dealing with Spills and Stains
Part of engineered hardwood floor maintenance involves tackling spills and stains. Act quickly when cleaning engineered wood floors that have suffered from spills. Blot immediately to soak up fluids since this will prevent moisture from seeping in. For common stains like food, drinks, ink or pet accidents, use a gentle cleaning solution and a soft cloth. One of the best tips for cleaning engineered wood floors with stains is to dab, not rub, since this will avoid spreading the stain into the wood.
Regular Maintenance
Maintenance is just as important as knowing how to clean wood flooring when accidents occur. We would advise adopting a regular cleaning routine – daily sweeping or vacuuming to remove dust and weekly damp mopping to maintain cleanliness. Regular maintenance is one of the best practices for cleaning engineered wood flooring, keeping it in prime condition for longer. That being said, you don’t need to go overboard because cleaning engineered wood floors isn’t hard or time-consuming. It is simply something you should keep up.
Additional Tips and Precautions
Additional precautions extend beyond mere cleaning. You can protect your floor from scratches and dents by using furniture pads, for example. The judicious deployment of rugs in high-traffic areas is also something worth considering if you want to reduce wear. Ensure consistent humidity levels in your home, too. This will prevent the wood in the flooring from excessive expansion or contraction, of course. All these measures will, when taken together, add to your engineered wood flooring cleaning routine, maintaining the pristine condition of your floor for many years to come.
Conclusion
At Munster Hardwood Flooring, we appreciate that many of our customers choose engineered wood flooring combines precisely because the timeless charm of hardwood with impressive durability. The aforementioned best practices for cleaning engineered wood flooring are what we have established over many years of supplying premium engineered hardwood flooring in Cork, Ireland. Of course, knowing how to clean wood flooring yourself doesn’t always mean you won’t need to rely on professional help. Damage from impacts may need an expert’s assessment. Get in contact with the professionals if you require specific maintenance advice or if your flooring requires a repair following a spill or a blow.