How to clean Pine Wood Floor ? - Cleaning Tips to Keep it Attractive

If you are fortunate enough to have outfitted your home with pine wood flooring, you should follow specific steps to keep it looking nice for years. Though it is often referred to as hardwood, it is actually quite soft and can be damaged over time through small issues, such as dirt and dust.

To keep it looking as good as new for years to come, you should first know that you cannot clean it the same as you would tile or carpeting.

When you notice a spill, your first instinct might be to grab a mop or cloth, some water, and cleaning products. However, such items may actually damage pine wood flooring quite easily. Instead, pick up a lightly damp cloth to wipe the area.

Throwing water on the surface can ruin the look of the floor quickly, stripping the finish fast, and even water-based cleaning products can do the same. Therefore, the goal is to keep the areas as dry as possible, so if water is necessary to remove a sticky spot or difficult spill, ensure that only a limited amount is present for a short time.

Dust and dirt can scratch pine wood flooring, which means it is especially important to keep it clean. You can place small rugs inside each entrance to limit the amount of dirt tracked in from outside, and vacuum or dust often. Just do not use a beater-bar vacuum since that can scuff the surface itself.

You can use an electrostatic mop, which actually works more like a broom, to eliminate dirt without scratching the pine wood flooring.

In general, remember that you cannot use the typical cleaning products on this type of surface. Lots of water, soap, and strong detergent are not the lifesavers on pine wood flooring that they usually are on regular floors. Instead, use specialty wooden floor cleaners, or a mixture of vinegar and water wiped on the floor and dried off quickly.

The consequences of not cleaning this type of floor properly may include expansion, scratches, and loss of shine. You might think this kind of floor seems high maintenance as it is suggested that you sweep everyday to avoid damage.

However, many busy homeowners place area rugs and runners in high-traffic areas of the house, which means they do not have to clean daily. If you decide to take this route, you can simply use these tips when you witness a spill, allowing you to keep your floors clean and attractive for years - Andrew Stratton 

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Wood Floor Cleaning tips

One of the problems, however, with hard wood floors is keeping them looking good over time as this type of material can very quickly become marked and stained, which can cause a dull and unsatisfactory appearance if meticulous care is not taken. Wood floor cleaning is different to stone or vinyl cleaning as once the wood itself is actually marked - it takes drastic action such as sanding to restore the floor to its original state.

The key to protecting any floor is protection and prevention - but with wood floors this is especially important. Although hard wood is pretty durable it is also prone to scratching and staining, so this must be avoided at all costs. If a floor becomes marked or scratched, a wood floor cleaning specialist will need to be called to sand, clean, polish and seal the floor - so preventative action must be taken.

The first steps involve professional installation and sealing. Assuming the floor has been correctly installed; the application of a sealant adds a protective layer and will effectively waterproof the floor - protecting it against spillages. You can check if you floor has a sealant applied by dropping a couple of drops of water on the floor. If the drops 'float' on the surface then you probably have a sealant applied. If not you should make the application of one a priority - a floor cleaning specialist will be able to recommend one for you.

Another important step is to avoid surface scratching. Scratching can remove any sealant that may have been applied, exposing the surface, but can also damage the wood itself. This will allow staining and bacteria to build up over time and this can stain and mark the wood. To avoid surface scratching try to remove any grit or dirt from the surface of the floor with regular sweeping. If the floor is swept, cleaning with a slightly damp mop should be sufficient but make sure you clean up spillages as soon as they occur.

Over time it is possible that your floor may become marked and dulled and cleaning ceases to be effective. It is possible that this is simply a surface build-up of grime or staining which can be difficult to shift. It is also possible that the floor itself (the actual wood) has become marked and that will require professional attention. In either case a wood floor cleaning specialist will be able to deal with this and give you the advice you need - Steven J Rosen

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