Hardwood flooring is always a good choice – it's timeless, durable and can work with almost any paint colour. Wood floors may not have the warmth of a carpet (but rugs can solve that) but they have a durability that can stand up to all that daily life throws at them, hence why they're so popular in high traffic areas such as kitchens and hallways.
Hardwood flooring is a low maintenance flooring option when it comes to cleaning, so long as it has been sealed properly; most examples are sealed with a polyurethane coating, which protects the wood from any spills or scratches and makes it easy to clean. Hardwood flooring does need regular cleaning though, as it shows dust and debris a lot more than carpet can. As Natalie Mudd, Creative Director at The Wood Flooring Co explains, "if properly cared for, engineered wood flooring can last for decades and don’t forget it can also be sanded back to remove any scratches and dents, returning it to its former glory. “
How to clean hardwood flooring
Hardwood flooring requires hoovering and mopping in order to stay clean. If it's really in need of TLC, then a wet-dry vacuum – which hoovers, mops and steams at the same time – is a worthwhile investment. Start by sweeping a hardwood floor to gather any bits of dirt and dust from along skirting boards and in corners that hoovers find harder to reach, before getting the hoover out to pick up all the bits. When hoovering a hard floor, always use the floor brush setting to get all the bits of dust and debris out from the nooks and crannies and protect it from drag marks.
Once you've given it a thorough sweep and hoover – and we recommend using a smaller nozzle setting for around edges and in corners – it's time to mop. When mopping, don't allow water to saturate a wood floor for too long as it can seep into cracks in the coating and cause the wood to expand and contract. You can use a wood cleaner product when mopping, simple good old hot water or, according to The Traditional Household Handbook, “for a polished clean you will need to fill a spray bottle one quarter full of white distilled vinegar and then top it up with water. Spray the solution onto the floor and use a sponge or mop to wipe.” This is a more natural way to mop a hardwood floor than with chemical products.
How often should you clean hardwood flooring?
Hardwood flooring in high traffic areas – hallways and around front and back doors – can be hoovered as often as daily as dirt and debris from outside is regularly tracked through them. Generally, a hoover once or twice a week and a weekly mop is enough to keep a hardwood floor clean.
A final word of helpful wood flooring advice from The Traditional Household Handbook: “Annoying, squeaky floorboards can be silenced with a judicious sprinkle of talcum powder in the gaps and joists. Use unscented talc unless you want the smell around your house.”
This story originally appeared on House & Garden UK.
