All floors were not created equal! Every floor type has its own special requirements for cleaning. Getting rid of the dirt will help you to keep your floor looking good and to last long. Here you will read some important hardwood floor cleaning tips to help you clean your hardwood floor in the most efficient way.

Make sure you know what type of finish is on your floor and whether your hardwood floor manufacturer has specific cleaning instructions for you. Wood floors are notoriously the most complicated to wash. In fact, depending on the type of finish on your wood floor, most floor experts would recommend to never wash it.

Dirt, sand, dust, and grit should never have a chance to settle into your hardwood floor, as they are harmful and can weaken the floor over time. This is why you want to keep all of that dirt, even if it is practically invisible, off the floor. It will help you to keep your floor clean by maintaining it well. With proper care, hardwood rarely needs replacing, and actually increases in beauty over time. If you think your floor needs repair or replacing, make sure you find a professional, skilled contractor to ensure it's fixed right! Make sure you follow these hardwood floor cleaning tips, as doing so will help to increase the natural beauty and longevity of your hardwood floor.

Tips to keep your hardwood floor looking its best:

• Protect your floors with area rugs and furniture protectors
• Clean spills promptly
• Sweep with a soft, fine-bristle broom
• Vacuum once or twice a week with a brush attachment. Canister vacuums with special bare floor attachments are the best way to get rid of all the dirt and dust
• Consider periodic waxing and buffing. Not sure how to do this? Try asking one of our Networx cleaners who have the experience to help you
• Direct sun can discolor your hardwood floor. If you have strong, direct sunlight on your floor then consider closing curtains and blinds or adding sheer drapes to protect your floor from the sun’s intense UV rays

Since wood naturally expands when it is wet, never wet mop or use excessive water to clean your floor. Large amounts of water can cause the wood to swell and may cause your floor to crack or splinter. Of all the hardwood floor cleaning tips, this no-water tip is the most important to remember! If you need to mop your floor for any reason, use a slightly (very slightly!) damp rag to wipe up the floor. Spills are usually out of our control, so if they happen, just make sure to clean them up quickly and without a lot of water.

Another product to never use on hardwood floors is ammonia. Never use any ammonia cleaners or oil soaps on a wood floor. They will dull the finish and performance of your floor and will also complicate your ability to re-coat your floor later.

Avoid oil soaps: They can build up and create problems when it’s time to put a maintenance coat on the floor. Instead, neutral pH cleaners made specifically for wood floors are recommended. In the past few years, some great new dust and dirt removal tools have come out, like dry cloth mops that you can find at nearly any store that sells cleaning products. These cloths are a great and safe way to collect dust and small pieces of dirt from your hardwood floors.

Using Vinegar on Your Hardwood Floor

If you have never heard about vinegar cleaning for your hardwood floor then you are likely to think it's quite a strange choice. I sure thought so until my house cleaner insisted on using it on my hardwood floors. Surprisingly, the result was longer lasting, beautiful wood floors. In fact, my house cleaner probably saved me a lot of money from having to re-finish my floors since I had previously cleaned once a week using a very damp cloth and soap! All you have to do is to mix about 1/4 cup of vinegar with some warm water in a bucket, dampen your rag a bit and start wiping!