"You need to use a no-wax hardwood laminate cleaner. No Murphy's oil soap; no lemon oil. Nothing like that," Burleson says.
Another tip Burleson gives is clean minimally. You don't want to scratch or take the finish off of your floors.
"Vacuum them whenever you see dust, but you don't want to put a bunch of cleaner on them everyday. . I'd say clean them weekly." Burleson says.
According to www.woodfloorsonline.com, wood floors cost a lot of money, but they can last you a long time if taken care of properly. One of the most important factors to remember is to keep the surface of the floor free from moisture and heavy traffic. A good idea may be to have guests take off their shoes at the entranceway of your home.
Burleson says you can never substitute over-the-counter cleaners for a professional cleaning. After you have a professional service done on your hardwood floors, you must continue to clean your hardwood floors with a professional wood floor cleaning product. Your hardwood floor company can also give you some advice on which products are safe to use on your floor.
The website www.woodfloorsonline suggests practicing preventive measures on your floor. Rugs, floor protectors, and routine care with a professional cleaning solution should be consistently practiced.
Never use wet mops, ammonia, dust cleaners, urethane wax, or general all-purpose cleaners.
"It creates a waxy build-up that will prevent future coats of Polyurethane to be able to be put on. Definitely don't use any waxy cleaners or polishers, nothing that says polish, like Murphy's Oil Soap. Don't use anything that's going to leave a waxy buildup," Burleson says.
Always follow manufacturer's recommendations, and if in doubt, check with a local professional wood floor contractor. Burleson says make sure to wipe all spills as soon as possible. You don't want your floor to warp.
Whether you decide to have your hardwood floors cleaned on a monthly basis by the professionals or you decide to buy the professional supplies yourself, know that the better you take care of your floor, the longer it will last. An old hardwood floor has distinction, and good care will give it the beauty it deserves.
