If you have hardwood floors in your home, then you know how beautiful they can be when they are clean and shiny. You also know what a chore it can be to get them that way. You already have to be careful not to nick, scuff, or or scratch your floors with accidents involving furniture or other items and activities. But there are so many other things that can damage hardwood floors as well. You’ve got to use the right kind of furniture pads to protect from scratches and marks, you’ve got to keep your pet’s nails neatly trimmed so they don’t cause damage. You also need to always keep a mat by the door to act as a barrier between the outside and the inside of your home so your floors don’t get ruined. 

Hidden Dangers to Your Hardwood Floor

Using chemical or too much floor cleaner on hardwood can also destroy a floor. Wearing high heels is out, and all pet accidents must be cleaned up immediately, which can be especially draining if you have a puppy in the home. But one thing that will destroy your hardwood floor that you may not be thinking about is a steam mop. It is true that steam is a great, effective cleaner. However, the temperature of the steam, how long your strokes are, and whether or not you pre-cleaned with a soft cloth in the proper manner before using the steam cleaner can all spell disaster for your hardwood floors. 

The Impact of a Steam Mop

Using a steam mop on your floor can cause cupping. This is when the edges of the plank of wood rise up and become permanently higher than the rest of the plank. Obviously, this causes the floor to be forever uneven and may present a tripping hazard or just a minor annoyance. A deteriorated or damaged hardwood floor will certainly not add to your property value or the aesthetic of your home in any good way. Too much sweeping can damage this type of floor as well. So what can you do to get your hardwood looking gorgeous again?

Alternative Method

First of all, never use water on an unsealed hardwood floor. That being said, one of the best and safest ways to clean your floors is by using the following method: Sweep or dust your floor first. Then, take a bucket and add 4 cups of warm water. Add to that just a few drops of castile soap or dish soap. Gently mix this without shaking. Then use a mop or a soft cloth to wash one small section of the floor at a time, pausing to dry the floor after washing between sections. You don’t want moisture to stay on your hardwood floor for too long, lest it should cause damage. Make sure to dry with a soft cloth. If you follow this process, you’ll be cleaning your floors in a safe and effective manner that will preserve the finish and shine you love. There are many other methods for cleaning hardwood floors as well. This is just one that is safe. 

Contact a Boston Hardwood Floor Company

When in doubt, ask a professional! Nobody knows more about caring for hardwood floors than the people that install and maintain them. When you choose a Boston hardwood floor company to install or maintain a floor, you can bet they want the best result possible. Why? Because a happy customer refers all their friends and family members. An unhappy customer tells everyone how bad their experience was!