How to Clean Engineered Wood Flooring

We have used wood to build homes since our ancestors thought of taking down roots (pun intended) because it is aesthetically appealing, economical and environment friendly. I love the warm tones of our wood flooring, and the contrast it makes on the cool slabs of cement walls. However, wood rots easily mainly because of water. Thus, to address this issue, manufacturers invented sometime in the 1960s engineered wood flooring which could withstand moisture better. However, even though this type of flooring is sturdy, it still needs some maintenance to retain its beauty and to extend its life.

Special Instructions

There are no special instructions for engineered wood flooring. The following are suggestions on how to clean engineered wood flooring:

1. The key to extending its life is to keep it always clean. It is advisable to put a mat at the entrance and to make sure that people actually use it. Water and dirt are its enemies, so keep them away as much as possible. Regular sweeping, even though the floor looks clean, will ensure that those minute dirt and particles will not make the wood flooring their home. Visit homefloorcleaner.com to learn more about how to keep your engineered hardwood floor clean: http://www.homefloorcleaner.com/best-vacuum-for-hardwood-floors/

2. Speaking of water, you should always wipe away any spills or liquids on the floor as soon as it happens. Water is insidious – left alone, it will work its ways under the wood and will become difficult to take out, and might need to be replaced instead.

3. We should not take for granted the effect of furniture on the floor. Put a protective covering on its feet so that anytime it’s moved, it will not scratch the floor. This goes for pets too. Make sure that their nails are cut before they go traipsing inside. To add to the protection, put rugs in areas that are most frequented by people and pets. But do not forget to sweep under the rug when cleaning as this can become the hiding place of dirt, grime and moisture.

4. When sweeping, wiping or dusting, do not use abrasive materials. Avoid cotton mops too, as cotton are very absorbent. I cannot overemphasize the danger of water on wood flooring. Although they are marketed as moisture resistant, still these engineered wood flooring are not waterproof.

5. Despite all the precautions, there will come a time when the floor becomes dirty. Rather than tearing your hair out, remember grandma’s solution – clean with vinegar and water. Vinegar will cut the grease and grime without leaving a residue. Water dilutes the vinegar’s strength, but putting too much water might cause the wood to swell and warp, so be careful. The ratio of vinegar to water is 1/2 cup for every gallon of warm water. don’t worry about rinsing out the solution as this dries quickly.

Prevention is The Best Maintenance