Mr. Steam’s Wood Floor Cleaning Method
Our hardwood floor cleaning begins by thoroughly vacuuming the floor to remove all loose dirt. Then we use a professional wood cleaning machine designed to do the job right!
Our machine applies professional hardwood cleaning solution, scrubs the floor without damaging it to loosen dirt, traps dirt with squeegees, then extracts all the dirt and cleaning solution with a powerful vacuum, so nothing is left behind to dull your floor. This is far superior to do-it-yourself floor cleaning with a broom or mop, which can just move dirt around or even push it into the crevices in your wood floor. We then clean the wood floor again with a neutralizing solution to achieve a shiny finish.
Any hard-to-reach hardwood floor areas where the cleaning machine can’t reach are cleaned carefully by hand.
When needed, we can also apply a fast-drying protective coating to renew the shine.
We clean wood floors in homes and businesses anywhere in metro Atlanta.
Here’s how to keep your wood floor clean in between our professional cleaning.
How To Clean Your Hardwood Floor
First, know which type of wood floor you have. In modern homes, most wood floors are sealed with plastic (polyurethane, polyacrylic, or urethane) which is applied atop the wood to protect it from stains and water-damage. Some homes instead have wood floors finished with an oil or penetrating seal that soaks into the wood. These floors need to be protected by applying paste wax or liquid wax. Older homes may have wood floors that were varnished, shellacked, or lacquered, and these older finishes do not protect wood well from stains and water. To tell which finish your wood floor has, try rubbing your finger across the wood. If you see a smudge, then you don’t have a floor sealed with one of the plastics, and you need to follow “Extra Steps for Floors That Require Wax” below.
On any hardwood floor sealed with plastic, never use any wax, Murphy’s oil soap, silicone or acrylic floor shine products like Mop & Glow. Adding a layer of wax or oil or plastic atop a polyurethane floor can seal dirt inside this new layer, or let new dirt adhere to it. This not only can dull a floor, but later create problems when you wish to professionally refinish the wood with new polyurethane.
Don’t use ammonia or vinegar cleaners to clean a hardwood floor.
Don’t use cleaners that leave a film or residue.
Don’t use a vacuum with a beater bar that can scratch the wood. Vacuum with a soft brush tool made for bare floors.
Pushing a wet mop with a water-based cleaner on a hardwood floor can damage wood, and usually just moves dirt around.
The proper wood floor cleaning method is to first vacuum the floor, then use a professional cleaner made specifically for hardwood floors, sold at home improvement, hardware or flooring dealers. Avoid cleaning products made for vinyl or tile floors. It is wise to test a product first in an out-of-the way place like a closet or hidden corner to make sure you are happy with the results.
You can remove occasional scuffs and heel marks by spraying wood cleaner on a rag and rubbing lightly.
You can clean sticky spots with a slightly-damp sponge, then dry with a cloth or paper towel.
Clean spills or pet urine immediately to avoid stained or warped wood flooring.
Be sure to put floor mats at all doorways and high-traffic areas to catch dirt and grime so it doesn’t get onto the wood floor. Dirt particles can scratch wood. Put a mat wherever water can spill, such as in the kitchen or bath or under pet bowls, to prevent wood warping and staining. Never put a planter directly on a wood floor; even ceramic planters can create a floor stain. Do not use rubber-backed mats as they can damage hardwood floors.
Put felt pads or coasters under furniture legs to prevent scratches. Regularly clip your dog’s nails to reduce scratch marks.
Extra Steps for Wood Floors That Require Wax
Do not use a damp mop to routinely clean the floor. Use a vacuum.
Once a year, stripping the old wax is needed to remove dirt trapped in it that dulls your floor. Use a commercial floor cleaner from a home store, or mineral spirits, to strip the old wax buildup.
Don’t use a product that claims to both remove old wax and apply new wax in one step; they trap dirt in the finish. After old wax is stripped and the floor is cleaned, you can apply a new coat of liquid wax or paste wax, but be sure to use wax specifically for wood floors. Don’t use acrylic or water-based waxes or furniture waxes.
