Cleaning Wood Floors

CLEANING HARDWOOD FLOORS

When using bleach or other harsh chemicals, you may want to consider wearing protective gloves. Also, never mix cleaning chemicals. If you clean with bleach or other harsh chemicals, be sure the area is well-rinsed and has air dryed before cleaning that area with another cleaner.

If your home has old or new wood floors, it is important to care for them to increase durability and enhance their potential for long-lasting wear. But no matter how well you take care of them every few years you may need to have them refinished, complete with sanding and polishing. But, detailed cleaning is important to help them look good and last long.

Start by clearing everything off the floor. It is best to move furniture to another room. Pick small objects, like coins or paper clips. Sweep the room free of dust and debris. It may be better to use a dust mop to clear the floor's surface.

Next, take several rag and moisten it slightly to attack the corners of the room. Wipe along each edge, back and forth repeatedly to the corner, to remove the buildup of dust and dirt. As it becomes loose, you can take a another damp cleaning cloth to wipe away the debris.

Do the same thing for the wood molding around the areas where your hardwood floors meet the walls of the room. Get into the grooves and crevices of your molding to remove dust and other junk that has accumulated over time.

Keep an eye out for stains, spots, or stuck-on substances. Use a mild solution of wood floor cleaner to work on the concentrated stains. You may need to dribble  the solution on the spot and let it set for several minutes. Don't leave it too long as it could lighten or damage the wood. Remove the solution with a clean sponge or soft cloth.


If you find gum, asphalt, or other sticky substances, use a putty knife to carefully loosen it. Avoid scraping the floor to hard. Work it gently, taking up a little at a time if the entire piece will not come up as a single unit. Check the floor to be sure it isn't damaged or stained underneath the substance.

Use a clean mop and fresh water made of a regular concentration of wood soap and water. Go over the floor once, taking extra time with spots or stains that remain. You may need to change your water and go over the floor a second time. Use a cloth to wipe clean the moldings and corners.


Use a matching color of furniture polish or brown wax to fill in chinks or scratches that have erupted in the wood. Use a minute amount, and use a small sponge or cloth to blend the color into the surrounding area. This will not repair wood damage, but it will help conceal it until the next sanding or refinishing job.

Finally, apply the right type of floor wax for your hardwood finish. Check the package directions to be sure it will fit your floor. Use the right amount, avoiding more than necessary to prevent slippage or injuries from the waxed surface.


Go over the moldings again with a clean, damp cloth to remove any splashed soap stains or residual dust. Ventilate the room well, keeping people and pets from walking on it until completely dry. When you are done, the floor may look as though it were newly installed.