How to Keep Your Hardwood Floors Looking Like New

Nothing makes a house feel more like a home than hardwood floors. They're warm, inviting, and classic. But they're also high-maintenance. Hardwood floors require special care to keep them looking their best. Here are some tips for cleaning your hardwood floors to stay beautiful for years.

The Right Tools for the Job

The first step in cleaning hardwood floors is to gather the right tools. You'll need a broom or dust mop, a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment, and a slightly damp mop. It would help if you also had a pail of water, mild dish soap, white vinegar, and furniture polish on hand.

Cleaning Daily

To prevent dirt and debris from building up on your hardwood floors, you should sweep or dust mop them daily. It will also help reduce the time you'll need to clean them weekly.

Cleaning Weekly

Once a week, you'll need to give your hardwood floors a deeper cleaning. Start by vacuuming them with the soft brush attachment to remove all the dirt and debris tracked during the week. Then, mop the floor with hot water using your slightly damp mop. If you have any stubborn spots, you can add a drop or two of dish soap to your mop water. Rinse the floor well after mopping to remove any soap residue.

Removing Stains

If you have stains on your hardwood floors, you can remove them with white vinegar or furniture polish. For minor stains, apply the vinegar or polish directly to the stain and rub it in with a soft cloth until the stain disappears. You may need to make a paste out of equal parts vinegar and baking soda for more prominent stains and apply it to the stain with a sponge. Once the paste has had a chance to sit for 15-20 minutes, buff it off with a soft cloth. Stubborn stains may require multiple applications before they disappear entirely.

With proper care and cleaning, your hardwood floors can last for years. Following these simple tips, you can keep your hardwood floors looking new for years.