In last month’s issue, we discussed what methods to avoid when cleaning Engineered Hardwood. In this month’s issue, we’ll complete the series with tried-and-true methods for cleaning and maintaining engineered hardwood.
- Inspection: Before dusting, sweeping, or vacuuming, walk the area picking up any debris that could scratch the floors like tiny toys, loose screws, bottle caps, and bread bag ties.
- Sweep or Vacuum: At minimum once a week, but more often if needed. Use a soft-bristle broom or a vacuum cleaner with a hardwood floor setting to pick up dirt, dust, and debris. Be sure to get edges and corners well because you don’t want anything pulled in from the edges to scratch the floors.
- Mop: Mop once or twice a week depending on the needs of your home. Use a damp microfiber mop. Microfiber is a soft yet mighty friend to you and your floors. It can pull up germs and lift dirt all while being gentle on delicate wood floors. Mop with the grain in a left to right motion. Using a push pull motion can push dirt out of your reach and it can also pull it back into sections you have mopped. Moving side to side and backing up as you mop helps to assure you reach corner to corner.
- Cleaning Solution: Use a pH-neutral cleaner specifically formulated for engineered hardwood floors. Look for products that say “finished floor” which means they are designed for floors with a protective finish. My favorite is Aunt Fannie’s Hardwood Floor Cleaner. It is plant based, eco-friendly, pH neutral, and smells like lemonade on a bright sunny day.
- Spot Cleaning: For spills, get to it as fast as you can—ideally within minutes—and blot with a microfiber cloth or paper towel. For pet urine or spilled milk, absorb all that you can with a paper towel or cloth. Then treat with an enzyme cleaner to break down the stain and odor at a molecular level. You don’t want sour milk or pup messes lingering on your wood floors.
Additional Tips
Furniture Pads: Place pads under furniture legs to prevent scratches. Check them often to assure they haven’t shifter or come loose.
Sunlight: Not all engineered wood floors have a UV coating. Use area rugs and curtains to protect floors from direct sunlight that can fade the finish. Area rugs can also help prevent wear in high traffic areas.
Humidity: Maintain indoor humidity levels between 30-50% to prevent the wood from warping or shrinking.
Inspections: Check for signs of damage and address them promptly. If you notice deep dark spots, it could be a sign of a water leak, too much water is being used when cleaning, a liquid spill sat for too long, or potential damage to the moisture barrier or underlayment.