How To Clean Engineered Hardwood Floors: The Ultimate Guide!
Knowing how to clean engineered hardwood floors is vital in keeping them flawless and long-lasting.
Though these engineered floors are built to be serene and durable, they still expect a delicate touch to keep them classy.
As the saying goes, “The floor’s beauty is preserved not by strong cleaning, but by insightful care” This will surely be apt for engineered hardwood floors.
So, let’s get into more details on how to clean these engineered floors and the regular questions that daunt you for cleaning clarity.
The Elegance Of Engineered Hardwood Floors
Have you ever seen engineered hardwood floors? Aren’t they stunning? The best part about them is they have the natural warmth, luxury and also the longevity.
Considering all these factors they are the top choice for house flooring, they are also the real treasures of our homes.
Engineered floors are very easy to maintain and they also have high stability and can sustain high wear and tear.
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Understanding Engineered Hardwood Floors
Before dwelling deep into the nitty-gritty of cleaning engineered floors, let’s have a glimpse of what makes them stand out.
Engineered floors have multiple layers, with a top veneer of real wood.
The central core of the engineered floor is made up of strong plywood and sometimes a high-density fiberboard.
This amalgamation of the stable stuff in making them makes them more stable and resistant to changes in temperature and humidity.
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Why Special Care For Engineered Wood Is Required?
Though engineered floors are durable, the top layer is made up of real wood which can permit scratches, stains, and also dullness.
Additionally, the top veneer is very thin and can only be up to 8MM thick, so you need to be extra attentive while cleaning.
Too much harsh liquid can permanently damage the wood, leading to peeling and warping of your flooring.
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Common Engineered Hardwood Floor Issues
1. Scratches and Scuffs
No matter how good you care, minor scratches and scuffs are evident on the engineered hardwood floors.
2. Dullness
With time, these floors can lose their shine! It would help if you treated them with periodic polishing to restore the luster.
3. Water Damage
If not treated quickly, spills and excess moisture can deep-seep into the wood, causing permanent stains and warping.
4. Gaps Between Planks
Variations in the humidity levels can cause the wood to contract and expand leading to the word plank gaps.
5. Discoloration
Direct exposure to sunlight and harsh chemicals can lead to the discoloration and fading of engineered floors.
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Tools To Clean Engineered Hardwood Floors
While cleaning engineered hardwood floors, you need to make sure to carry these things:
- Microfiber Mop: This is the best aid to work gently on these surfaces, this mop can remove dirt effectively without scratches.
- Vacuum With Soft Bristles: This works well to pick up the small debris without damaging the top veneer finish.
- pH Neutral Cleanser: This is specially designed for engineered hardwood and formulated to clean effectively without warping the surface.
- Soft Towel or Cloth: Soft cloth works well for spot cleaning and taking the excess moisture out.
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How To Clean Engineered Hardwood Floors: Step-By-Step Guide
1. Dusting And Sweeping
Do you have any idea that dust and dirt are the main factors for the minor scratches? Yes! they also lead to dullness of the surface.
So, it is recommended to clean dust and sweep the engineered wood floors regularly to make them look flawless.
Quick Tip: Use only a soft-bristle broom and microfiber mop to clean!
2. Deep Mopping Weekly
Not regularly! But once in a week grab your soft mop and pH neutral to clean these floors.
Here’s How:
i. Mix Your Cleaner: Follow the manual on the cleaner bottle, and mix it with water in 1:3 proportion.
ii. Dampen The Mop: Just dip the mop into the above liquid and dampen it lightly, avoid too much water by squeezing.
iii. Mop In Sections: Work the section-wise, and make sure you move the mop in the direction of the wood grains
iv. Dry Immediately: Use a soft cloth to dry the floor after mopping to prevent water damage!
Quick Tip: Mopping in sections can help you avoid wood streaks and builds efficiency!
3. Monthly Deep Clean
Every month you need to declutter your home and give a deep clean to the engineered wood floors.
Here’s How:
i. Move Furniture: Rearrange your furniture and clean it underneath to deal with mold and pests.
ii. Clean Stains: Clean the tough stains, apply effective cleaner directly on the stain, and wipe with a soft cloth
iii. Hand Polish: This step is optional, if you feel your surface is dull, you can buy a hand polisher for an engineered wood floor and can restore its shine.
4. Seasonal Maintenance
As the seasons keep changing, your care towards engineered wood floors must be updated.
Here’s What To Do:
i. Winter Season: You need to keep an eye on the salt and snow, they can damage your wood flooring right away
ii. Summer Season: Summer has high humid levels which can react with wood and make it expand. Use Dehumidifier!
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Natural way to clean engineered hardwood floors
1. Vinegar And Essential Oils Solution
After getting through the heading, you might doubt ‘How to clean engineered hardwood floors with vinegar’, right?
Simply, vinegar is a strong natural agent to deal with hardwood floors due to the presence of diluted acetic acid.
What You’ll Need:
- 1 cup of water
- 1/4 cup of white vinegar
- 10 drops of essential oil (such as lemon, lavender, or tea tree)
How To Do It:
- Mix the Solution: Take a spray bottle, white vinegar, and the essential oil. Vinegar has the disinfectant properties and the essential oils for the aroma.
- Spray and Wipe: Spray the above-prepared liquid onto the wood surface and slowly dab on with a soft cloth
- Dry the Floor: Use a dry microfiber cloth to buff and remove any remaining moisture.
Quick Tip: Avoiding water settling can help you deal with the discoloration and the dullness.
2. Baking Soda and Lemon Juice Paste
Baking soda and the lemon juice combination can work wonders on engineered hardwood floors.
What You’ll Need:
- 1/2 cup of baking soda
- 2 tablespoons of lemon juice
How To Do It:
- Prepare the Paste: Thoroughly mix the baking soda and the lemon juice to create a thick paste.
- Apply And Scrub: Apply the paste directly onto the stains and cleanse with the soft cloth or the sponge in a circular motion.
- Wipe Clean: After scrubbing, wipe the area with a damp cloth and remove the paste. Follow this switch the dry cloth dabbing.
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Mistakes To Avoid While Cleaning Engineered Hardwood Floors
1. Usage Of Excess Water
Overusing water can lead the wood to sell and warp the surface. This can lead to long-term damage by forming mold and buckling.
2. Using Harsh Chemicals
You need to avoid using harsh chemicals to protect the natural finish of the wood floors. Use only certified pH cleansers.
3. Heavy Scrubbing Method
Many have the false perception that harsh scrubbing will remove deep stains, which won’t but can also lead to discoloration.
4. Not Following Manufacturer’s Guidelines
Every hardwood flooring has specific care guidelines, ignoring them will leave your warranty invalid and also damage the floor.
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How To Clean Engineered Hardwood Floors: FAQs
1. Can you steam clean engineered hardwood floors?
No! You should not steam-clean engineered hardwood floors. The heat and moisture can penetrate the layers leading to swelling and creating permanent damage.
2. Best cleaner for engineered wood floors?
The best cleaner for engineered wood floors is the pH-balanced cleanser for wood. The most running items in the present market would be Murphy’s Oil soap and the Bona wood cleaner.
3. can you use vinegar and water on engineered hardwood floors?
Yes! you can use diluted vinegar and the water solution(1:4), but sparingly to avoid excess accumulation.
4. How Often Should I Clean My Engineered Hardwood Floors?
You must clean your engineered hardwood floor every week to remove excess dirt and dust. For every 1-2 months you need to gently cleanse it for the extra shine and finish.
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