Maintaining the beauty and longevity of wooden floors is essential for any Australian homeowner. Effectively cleaning wooden floors can make all the difference in preserving their stunning appearance and durability.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll share expert tips and best practices to ensure your timber floors remain immaculate for years.
Essentials to Remember
To effectively clean and maintain your timber floors, follow these essential steps:
- Preparation: Clear the area and remove dust.
- Choosing the Right Cleaner: Select pH-neutral or specialised wooden floor cleaners.
- Best Mop for Wooden Floors: Opt for microfiber or spray mops.
- How to Mop Wooden Floors: Use damp (Not wet) mopping techniques.
- How to Deep Clean Wooden Floors: Implement periodic deep cleaning routines.
- Protecting Your Floors: Use furniture pads and control humidity levels.
How to Clean Wooden Floors
Cleaning timber floors requires a balanced approach to maintain their natural beauty without causing damage.
Here’s the best way to clean wooden floors effectively:
- Routine Sweeping or Vacuuming: Start by removing loose dust and debris using a soft-bristle broom or a vacuum cleaner with a hardwood attachment. This prevents scratches caused by abrasive particles.
- Selecting the Right Cleaner: To protect the floor’s finish, choose a pH-neutral wooden floor cleaner. Avoid harsh chemicals that can strip away the protective layer.
- Mopping Techniques: Clean the floors with a damp (not wet) microfiber mop. Excess water can seep into seams and cause warping or staining.
- Drying the Floor: After mopping, thoroughly dry the floor with a clean cloth/old towel to prevent moisture damage.
The Best Floor Cleaner for Wooden Floors
Selecting the best floor cleaner for wooden floors is crucial for maintaining their appearance and longevity.
Here are our recommendations:
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Bona Timber Floor Cleaner
A pH-neutral formula that cleans effectively without leaving any residue.
We like it because:
Bona Timber Floor Cleaner is a top choice for maintaining timber floors due to its convenience and effectiveness. We love that it’s a ready-to-use, fast-drying solution that leaves no streaks or residue, allowing you to walk on the floors right after cleaning.The formula is pH-neutral, protecting the finish while removing 99% of bacteria when used with Bona’s microfibre pads. Plus, with various packaging options, it’s versatile for different cleaning needs.Its eco-friendly credentials and international reputation add to its appeal. Bona products are also great for cleaning bamboo, hybrid, and laminate flooring.
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Method Squirt + Mop Wood Floor Cleaner
This is an eco-friendly option that is safe for families and pets. We always do our best to offer environmentally friendly customer options and attest that this product is fantastic.
Why We Like It:
The Method Squirt + Mop Hardwood Floor Cleaner offers a simple, eco-friendly solution for keeping hardwood and laminate floors spotless. We love its plant-based formula, which cleans and shines floors without rinsing, making it perfect for a quick clean.
The ergonomic nozzle ensures even coverage without creating puddles, and its cruelty-free certification and use of recycled plastic packaging add to its appeal. It’s an excellent choice for an effective, sustainable, and convenient hardwood floor cleaner.
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Pledge Gentle Wood Floor Cleaner
Combines cleaning with conditioning to enhance the wood’s natural shine.
Why We Like It:
Pledge Gentle Wood Floor Cleaner is perfect for bringing out the natural beauty of wood floors. We appreciate its gentle formula, which easily removes dirt without leaving streaks or residue and delivers a clean, shiny finish.
This cleaner suits home and office and offers a versatile solution for various spaces. Its classic scent adds a refreshing touch, and the easy-to-use formula only requires mixing with water—no rinsing needed. It’s a practical, hassle-free choice for maintaining wood flooring.
Floor Cleaner Usage Tips
- Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for dilution and application.
- Test the cleaner on a small, inconspicuous area before completing the application to ensure compatibility.
- Use a microfiber mop or cloth for optimal cleaning results and to avoid scratches on delicate surfaces.
- Avoid over-wetting the mop, especially on wood or laminate floors, to prevent moisture damage.
- Regularly refresh the mop or cloth in the cleaning solution for the best results and to maintain effectiveness.
- Ensure proper ventilation during and after cleaning for a fresh, residue-free finish.
Best Mop for Wooden Floors
- Microfiber Mops: Are gentle on wood surfaces and effective at trapping dust and dirt without scratching.
- Spray Mops: For quick clean-ups, spray mops allow you to control the moisture applied to the floor.
- Flat Mops: Offer a larger surface area for efficient cleaning, reducing mopping time.
Top Picks:
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Bona Timber Floor Premium Spray Mop
Known for its ease of use and effective cleaning capabilities.
Why we like it:
The Bona Timber Spray Mop offers a premium, easy-to-use solution for cleaning timber floors. Its quality Swedish design features a sturdy handle, soft-touch trigger, and a rotating mop head for effortless cleaning in tight spaces.
The refillable cartridge paired with a dual-action microfiber pad ensures streak-free results while picking up dirt and moisture. We appreciate that the pad is machine washable, adding to its convenience. This mop makes floor cleaning quick and hassle-free without buckets.
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O-Cedar ProMist MAX Microfiber Spray Mop
Features adjustable spray control for versatile cleaning.
Why We Like It:
The ProMist® MAX Microfiber Spray Mop stands out for its versatility and cost-effectiveness. Featuring a reusable, double-sided microfiber mop pad, it removes over 99% of bacteria with just water or your favourite cleaning solution. We appreciate the battery-free trigger, which lets you control the water amount for precise cleaning.
The mop pad is machine washable, helping you save significantly on cleaning supplies compared to disposable options. Its durable design and efficiency make it a great choice for keeping floors spotless without the extra expense.
How to Mop Wooden Floors
- Prepare the Mop: Lightly dampen your mop with water or a suitable wooden floor cleaner. Ensure it’s not soaking wet.
- Mop in Sections: Clean small areas at a time, moving the mop toward the wood grain for best results.
- To avoid Excess Moisture: Never allow water to pool on the floor. Wring out the mop thoroughly before use.
- Dry the Floor: Wipe the floor immediately after mopping with a clean, dry cloth/towel to prevent moisture buildup.
Empire OZ Engineered Timber Blackbutt
How to Clean Engineered Timber Floors
Engineered timber flooring combines the beauty of solid wood with enhanced stability, making it a popular choice. Some customers have asked if there are differences between engineered timber and solid wood cleaning. The short answer is ‘very similar’ because the veneer on top and most of the product anatomy are made up of natural wood.
To be thorough, here’s how to clean engineered timber floors effectively:
- Regular Sweeping or Vacuuming: Use a soft-bristle broom or a vacuum with a hardwood floor attachment to remove dust and debris.
- Damp Mopping: Apply a pH-neutral cleaner with a damp microfiber mop. Avoid using excessive water to protect the layered structure of engineered timber.
- Spot Cleaning: Address spills immediately with a soft cloth and appropriate cleaner to prevent stains and moisture damage.
- Avoid Steam Mops: The moisture and heat from steam mops can damage engineered timber floors, causing warping or delamination.
Deep Cleaning Wood Floors
Deep cleaning of your wooden floors is essential for removing ingrained dirt and restoring their natural shine.
Follow these steps for an effective deep clean:
- Move Furniture: Clear the room of all furniture to access the entire floor area.
- Sweep or Vacuum: Remove all dust and debris using a soft-bristle broom or a vacuum cleaner.
- Apply Deep Cleaning Solution: Use a specialised deep-clean wood floor cleaner. Follow the product’s instructions for dilution and application.
- Scrub Gently: Use a soft-bristle brush to agitate stubborn stains or dirt.
- Rinse and Dry: Wipe the floor with a clean, damp cloth and ensure it dries completely to prevent moisture damage.
Expert Insights From Levi Saunders
Online Retail Specialist & Flooring Content Creator
To enhance your deep cleaning routine for wooden floors, consider using:
Bona Deep Clean Wood Floor Cleaner: Tackles ingrained dirt on timber, hard wax oiled, and varnished wood floors. It’s specially formulated with natural antibacterial properties using hydrogen peroxide, helping to lift away stubborn dirt and grime without leaving any residue.
It’s also a great refill option for the Bona Premium Wood Floor Spray Mop. Its quick-drying, water-based formula ensures your floors stay clean and safe for everyday use.
Protecting Your Timber Floors
As they say, “prevention is the key to longevity”, and timber flooring is no exception. Protecting your timber floors extends their lifespan and maintains their aesthetic appeal.
Here is what I recommend:
- Use Furniture Pads: To prevent scratches and dents, place felt pads under the legs of chairs, tables, and other heavy furniture.
- Area Rugs and Mats: Rugs in high-traffic areas and entryways reduce dirt and moisture exposure and help minimise wear and tear.
- Control Humidity: Maintain indoor humidity levels between 35% and 55% to prevent the wood from expanding or contracting, which can cause gaps or warping. To further understand the effect of humidity levels on timber floors, we recommend reading this blog, Acclimatising Timber Floors—Comprehensive Guide.
- Avoid Excess Moisture: Always wipe up spills immediately and avoid using excessive water during cleaning.
Explore our article on cleaning bamboo floors for more tips on maintaining different types of floors.
Eco-Friendly Cleaning Options
I couldn’t finish an article without providing eco-friendly cleaning solutions that benefit your wooden floors and the environment. Something we are passionate about at the Online Flooring Store.
Consider the following options:
- Natural Floor Polish: For a natural floor polish, mix 1/4 cup olive oil, 1/3 cup white vinegar, and five cups of hot water. Add a few teaspoons of lemon juice or essential oil for a fresh citrus scent. Dip a mop or cloth into the solution and use it to polish your floors as you would with a commercial cleaner. This homemade mixture adds shine and leaves your floors smelling great.
- Sustainable Practices: Implement cleaning practices that reduce waste, such as using reusable microfiber cloths and mop pads.
Maintaining wooden and timber floors involves regular cleaning, using the right products, and implementing preventive measures. Following these expert tips, you can ensure your floors remain beautiful and durable for years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, excessive water can seep into seams and cause warping or staining.
- Use a Damp Mop: Ensure your mop is only slightly damp, not soaking wet.
- Dry Immediately: After mopping, dry the floor thoroughly with a clean, dry cloth to remove any lingering moisture.
- Avoid Standing Water: Never allow water to pool on the floor. Work in small sections to manage moisture levels effectively.
Use pH-neutral cleaners like Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner or eco-friendly options like Method Squirt + Mop Wood Floor Cleaner. Avoid harsh chemicals and abrasive cleaners.
Regular sweeping or vacuuming should be done daily, with damp mopping conducted weekly. Deep cleaning should be performed a few times a year, depending on usage.
For tough stains, use a gentle cleaner with a soft-bristle brush. Avoid harsh scrubbing and always dry the area thoroughly after cleaning.
No, steam cleaning can introduce excessive moisture and heat, leading to damage such as warping or delamination.
Yes, removing tough stains requires careful attention and the right techniques to avoid damaging the wood.
Here’s how to tackle common stains:
- Oil-Based Stains: Sprinkle a small amount of baking soda on the stain, let it sit for a few minutes, and gently rub it with a damp cloth. For stubborn marks, use a soft-bristle brush and buff with a tennis ball.
- Water Stains: Mix equal parts white vinegar and water. Apply the solution with a soft cloth, gently rub the stain, and then wipe dry immediately.
- Ink or Marker Stains: Use a mild dish soap solution with warm water. Apply with a soft cloth and gently rub the area until the stain lifts. Always dry the area thoroughly afterwards.
- Avoid using abrasive tools or excessive moisture, as these can worsen the stain or damage the floor.
Selecting the right mop is essential for effectively and safely cleaning wooden floors.
Here are our top recommendations:
Microfiber Mops: These are gentle on wood surfaces and excellent at trapping dust and dirt without scratching. They can be used dry or slightly dampened.
Spray Mops: Ideal for quick clean-ups, spray mops allow you to control the amount of moisture applied to the floor. Look for models with adjustable mist settings.
Flat Mops: Offer a larger surface area for efficient cleaning, reducing mopping time.
For minor scratches, use a wood floor touch-up wax kit or a matching wood stain to conceal imperfections. For deeper scratches, consider refinishing the affected area to restore the floor's appearance. We Recommend reading these blogs: Repairing and Replacing Damaged Flooring Guide and Floor Sanding and Polishing Solid Timber Boards.
To prevent fading, curtains or blinds should be used to avoid direct sunlight exposure. Additionally, rugs should be used in high-traffic areas, and UV-protective finishes should be applied to help maintain the wood’s colour and vibrancy.
Waxing is not typically required for modern timber floors, especially those with a polyurethane finish. Instead, regular cleaning with appropriate cleaners is sufficient. If you prefer a waxed finish, ensure it is compatible with your floor type and apply it sparingly to avoid buildup.
Maintain shine by cleaning regularly with a pH-neutral cleaner, using the best mop for wooden floors, and avoiding abrasive cleaning tools. Periodically applying a wood polish or conditioner can also help enhance and preserve the floor’s natural sheen.
It’s best to use cleaners specifically designed for wooden floors. Household cleaners, especially those with harsh chemicals or high acidity, can damage the floor’s finish and compromise its integrity.
