A Guide on How to Clean Engineered Wood Floors
March 14, 2024
Engineered wood flooring is one of the most popular flooring choices due to its many advantages and benefits. It has a realistic wood appearance and is highly durable. It’s affordable and easy to install.
Engineered wood flooring also comes with a wide range of tones, colors, and patterns, so it’s both strong and stylish. However, to keep your engineered wood floors in good condition, it’s important to clean them regularly. Here’s a guide on how to clean engineered wood floors.
Sweep Your Engineered Wood Floors Daily
Don’t let dirt pile up on your floors. Sweep your engineered wood floors daily to prevent scratches and maintain a clean surface. Use a soft-bristled broom to get all that dirt and dust off your engineered wood floors. This will help keep your floors in good shape.
Vacuum Your Engineered Wood Floors Gently
Sometimes, sweeping your floors may not be enough to get all the dirt and dust away, and this is where vacuuming comes in. Vacuuming can remove any dirt or dust particles that sweeping may leave behind.
Just be sure to use a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment, as vacuums with hard bristle attachments can scratch the surface of your floors.
Mopping Your Engineered Wood Floors
Although engineered wood floors are more water-resistant compared to solid hardwood, excess water can still cause damage. So, when mopping your engineered wood floors, be sure to use a microfiber mop or standard damp mop, not a wet mop.
A microfiber mop is less abrasive on your floors. In case you don’t have a microfiber mop, you can use a traditional yarn mop so long as you wring out water from the mop first before using it to clean your floors.
The important thing is not to put excess water on your floors, so don’t use a mop that is soaking wet. You wouldn’t want to risk damaging the top layer of your floors, so avoid a mop that is dripping wet.
Additionally, it’s important to remember that before you mop your floors, you must sweep or vacuum them first. It’s also best to mop your floors once a week.
Wipe Up and Clean Spills Immediately
Accidents happen, and sometimes we can’t avoid spilling water or other types of liquid on our floors. However, all of these should be cleaned up immediately.
Whether it’s a spilled glass of water or pet urine, don’t let them stay on your floors. Allowing liquid to stay on your floors for a long time can likely lead to irreparable damage, and you wouldn’t want that on your floors. So, to avoid water damage or even permanent stains, clean up immediately.
What to Avoid When Cleaning Engineered Wood Floors
When cleaning your engineered wood floors, you wouldn’t want to cause damage to them along the process. So, it’s important to take note of the following:
Avoid Using Harsh Chemicals on Your Engineered Wood Floors
Avoid using harsh chemicals such as bleach or ammonia. They can be too harsh for your floor’s surface and will ultimately damage your engineered wood floors. Always check a cleaning product first and make sure it’s safe for your floors.
Don’t Use a Steam Cleaner on Your Engineered Wood Floors
A steam cleaner may appear like an easy way to clean your floors, but be careful, because they can actually damage your floors. The steam can cause damage by forcing moisture into your floors. They generate high temperatures and pressures, making your floors more susceptible to scratches and other kinds of damage.
Steam cleaning is not a good cleaning method for engineered wood floors and can likely cause damage just like with overly wet mops. So, it’s best to stay away from steam cleaners.
Don’t Use an Abrasive Cleaning Brush
When cleaning your engineered wood floors, don’t use abrasive cleaning products such as steel wool or a wire-bristle cleaning brush. These kinds of products will certainly scratch or damage your floors, so it’s best not to use them.
Protecting Your Engineered Wood Floors
It’s important to clean your floors on a regular basis to keep them in good shape. However, there are also other ways of protecting your engineered wood floors and preventing scratches and damages. Consider the following:
Add Rugs and Doormats
One way of protecting your engineered wood floors is to use rugs and doormats. They help catch dirt and dust, so all of these won’t touch your floors. Be sure to put these rugs and doormats in high-traffic areas such as hallways, entry points, and kitchens.
Protect Your Furniture (and Floors) With Protection Pads
Place soft padding on the bottom of the table and chair legs to protect your floor from scratches and dents. Additionally, it’s important to note that when rearranging furniture or bringing new ones in, don’t drag them, but instead, carry them. Doing so will protect your floors from damage.
Mind Your Shoes
Consider your shoes and think about what shoes you’re wearing around your home. High heels, stilettos, or shoes with spikes can likely cause scratches on your floors, so it’s best not to walk over your engineered wood floors wearing them.
Contact Nordic Homeworx for Flooring Advice and Services
Engineered wood flooring is an ideal choice for your home if you’re looking for flooring that’s stylish and durable. However, to maintain their beauty and aesthetic appeal, it’s important to clean your floors regularly.
Following the tips above will certainly help you in keeping your engineered wood floors clean. However, you may have other concerns regarding engineered wood floors.
At Nordic Homeworx, we have flooring consultants who will happily assist you with any questions or concerns you have regarding your precious floors. Our experienced consultants can advise you about the best cleaning techniques for your floors and answer any other questions you may have about flooring.
Do you have any more queries on how to clean engineered wood floors? Are you in need of flooring advice or maintenance services? Contact us today!
