Smith earned a bachelor's degree in history from the College of New Jersey. Use as few chemical cleaning products as possible because they can damage your floor. I had that same floor sanded and redone in November and I love it! If you use all purpose cleaner you need to rinse with clean mop or the residue will attract dirt. Site By Realbasics.com. Frequent foot traffic produces dirt and grime accumulation on hardwood, causing the floors to appear dingy. Scrape in the grooves with a putty knife or nail file to remove any paint in the grooves. If there is still some stubborn gunk and grime hanging out in the floorboards it is time to find a slim tool like a plastic putty knife or an unused toothbrush. Hi Paul, Click below for an article about how to deep clean hardwood floors. SEO By SeattleWebSearch.com, Cleaning Old Sticky Stains from Hardwood Floors, Using Black Tea as a Hardwood Floor Cleaner. For hardwood floor cleaning in North Seattle and Snohomish County make an appointment any time online or over the phone with All Kleen. Might have to mop few times to remove all residue. Water will damage a wood floor. He has worked at a newspaper, various magazines and websites, and he has interests in a wide range of subjects including sports, politics and entertainment. Rinse the groove with a sponge dipped in clear water from another bucket. Wipe the grooves of your hardwood floor with the help of a sponge dipped in a commercial wood cleaner or homemade solution which contains white vinegar if the dirt still remains in the grooves then by using a sponge dipped in clear water for removing any residue from the grooves. © 2020 All Kleen Carpet Cleaning. Wipe the grooves with a sponge dipped in a commercial wood cleaner or a solution containing white vinegar, if dirt remains in the grooves. BUT no Murphy's oil soap or pledge or johnsons or old english or anything else that leaves a soap or wax residue. Hardwood floors are not only a stylish trendy and beautiful flooring choice; they are a durable, long lasting, and fairly simple to clean one. Minor scuffs can sometimes be removed by using the eraser end of a pencil. All Rights Reserved. If using a commercial hardwood floor cleaner read the instructions carefully before starting and follow them exactly as written. Many local flooring shops in your town will probably cary thier favorite brand of cleaner too. If you have to finish your floors because the finish is worn off, they can sand the edges even and that will solve the problem of dirt getting into the cracks. There is dirt in the grooves where the boards join. If Sweeping Isn’t Enough What Should You Do? Although wood floors are beautiful and durable, dirt, dust and debris does collect in the grooves between the planks. The general maintenance for hardwood floors is fairly easy, but over time everyday debris and dirt builds up in the grooves between the floorboards. Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Wipe the mark with a clean, damp sponge, then lightly ‘erase’ the scuff. Let it sit for 15 minutes or up to an hour before rinsing away. Hardwood floors are not only a stylish trendy and beautiful flooring choice; they are a durable, long lasting, and fairly simple to clean one. If using the detergent method add just enough soap that bubbles barely begin to from in the water. Lightly dip a rag into the solution just enough to get it barely damp (remember water is one of wood’s biggest enemies) and wipe along the grooves. Rub as far down into the grooves as you can with a steel wool pad to remove any debris that remains. Wipe along the grooves with the rag. Reply. Start with a powerful wet/dry vacuum and meticulously vacuum along every groove line in your floor. Are Pre-Finished Hardwood Floors a Good Idea? Cleaning hardwood floors is generally easy, but cleaning in the grooves is a little more complicated because of the small spaces involved. Create a solution of water and detergent in one bucket. John Smith is a writer with over 30 years experience. Make sure to follow this step by wiping the floor immediately after rinsing with a new dry and clean rag. By creating an account you agree to the Hunker. Vacuum the grooves when you are finished. … Bona's products are wonderful when used on a properly cared for floor. Woodfloordoctor.com: Cleaning Articles on all Types of Wood Floors: Wood Floor Guide: Remove Paint from Wood Floor, Hardwood Floors 101: How To Clean Hardwood Floors, housecleaning-tips.com: Cleaning Hardwood Floors - Sealed and Unsealed.