How to Shine Hardwood Floors

The majestic look of hardwood floor is inimitable. Hardly any other flooring material can give the same exotic look that hardwood floor can give to your home. Wood floors can give unmatched elegance and a classy look to a house. But, if not maintained and cleaned properly, hardwood flooring can lose its shine and become dull. But, it is possible to bring back the shine of these floors, unless they are badly damaged.

Restoring the Lost Glory of Hardwood Floors

The best way to make your hardwood floors look as good as new is to keep them clean. Regular cleaning is a must to maintain the shine and look of hardwood floors. If not cleaned regularly, dust, dirt and sand can accumulate on the floor and scratch and scour the surface making it dull and lifeless. Basically, there are three steps for shining hardwood floors, dusting, cleaning and polishing. Polishing is usually not required for new floors, as well as floors with polyurethane coating.

Regular Dusting
Dusting on a regular basis is required to keep abrasive substances like, sand, grit and dust away from your hardwood floor. For this, consider to sweep your floor on a regular basis with the help of a soft bristled broom. Brooms with hard bristles should be avoided, as they can scratch the surface. Vacuuming is also important to keep your floor clean, and this can be done once or twice a week. However, do not use a vacuum cleaner with beater brush attachment. Instead, opt for a vacuum with soft brush attachment for cleaning.

Cleaning
If possible, they should be cleaned once in every week. If it is not possible, then cleaning once or twice in a month will also do. The floor should not be exposed to excessive moisture while cleaning. So, always use a damp, not wet mop for cleaning. First, damp the mop with soapy water and wipe the floor gently. Now, wipe the floor once more with clean water. Once you are done with cleaning, dry the floor with a soft and dry cloth.

Many people recommend the use of vinegar mixed with water to clean the floors. But, substances like vinegar and lemon juice are deemed to be quite acidic for cleaning furniture and floor made of hardwood. These can cause the polyurethane coating to wear away over a period of time, which can eventually dull the finish. Therefore, it is always better and safe to use a hardwood floor cleaner that is recommended by the manufacturer. While choosing a commercial floor cleaner, make sure it has neutral pH and does not contain harsh, abrasive chemicals like, ammonia.

Polishing
Polishing, as has been mentioned already is not always required for shining hardwood floors. Regular dusting and cleaning are enough for keeping your floors clean and shiny. Polishing is required only when the floor has lost the original shine of the varnish. In such case, you can choose a polish that is recommended by the manufacturer of the floor. For polishing your floor, first apply the polish with a damp cloth, after which buff the area with a soft and dry cloth.

Before using any cleaning product on your floor, be sure to apply it on a small area to avoid possible damage. If the above mentioned steps fail, you can opt for professional help, after which you can maintain the new look of your floor with regular dusting and cleaning.