With widespread distribution of steam cleaners on the market, more and more people are taking the seemingly easy route of cleaning their hardwood floor with such cleaning tools. Science class and experience should have told us but many people aren’t aware that steam and wood are not compatible. Steam is, after all, nothing but water vapor.
When steam cleaning, vapors can and do recombine to form liquid water that sit on and wick into wood. With water wood floors naturally expand and contract. This expansion and contraction result in two major forms of wood deformation: “cupping” and “crowding.”
Cupping (The concave deformation of wood floor) and Crowding (the convex deformation of wood floors) are common issues that develop with high humidity. Both problems occur across the width of the flooring material.
Cupping is when the edges of a board are high and its center is lower. This occurs after water spills onto the floor and is absorbed by the wood. If the wood expands significantly, compression set can result as the boards are crushed together, deforming the boards at the edges.
Cupping is caused by a moisture imbalance through the thickness of the wood: The wood is wetter on the…
If you’re using the wrong products you may be. Mass-marketed products like Swiffer, actually work against you by leaving an oily residue that builds up on your hardwood floors and also attracts dirt, dust and floor-scratching grit.
We recommend using one of the many chemical-free, non-toxic cleaners on the market today, combined with a microfiber applicator pad. We use environmentally-friendly Bona products, which are wax- and silicone-free. These cleaners also contain a drying agent to speed up the drying process, a real plus because moisture and wood don’t mix.
Microfiber pads pick up dirt, dust and moisture instead of just pushing it around. Even better, they’re machine washable, so you can use them again and again.
We like Bona Cleaners so much we give every client an introductory supply and sell it too. It’s also available at Lowe’s, Do It Best Hardware and Target stores.
Protection is the key to keeping your wood floors looking beautiful. And it’s easy to do! Protect your floors from objects resting directly on them; things like chairs, barstools, and tables. We recommend using felt or leather protectors on the bottom of furniture or any item that rests directly on the floor. It’s important to maintain and replace the protectors as they wear.
Splatter areas in the kitchen near the stove and sink, entryways from the outside and entryways to wet or dirty areas, such as a garage, pool or patio, need protection too. Rugs are an easy answer. Make sure when you vacuum the rugs to vacuum underneath as well to remove any grit or dirt that could scratch the floor.
Don’t Use Oil Soaps – There are many over the counter oil-based soaps that can damage or dull the finish of your hardwood floor. The best suggestion is to only use the manufacturer’s recommended cleaning products on your hardwood flooring.
Never Wax a Urethane Floor – If you have a polyurethane finish on your hardwood floors you should never apply a wax. The wax may leave a sticky film on your floor which will attract and hold dirt. Always use the manufacturer’s recommended polishes and cleaners.
