How to Clean Your Engineered Hardwood? A Few Tips to Remember

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If you’re looking for a great alternative to traditional solid-wood flooring, consider engineered hardwood. Engineered and solid hardwood floors both add value to your home, and cleaning engineered wood is quite similar to cleaning hardwood floors, which may come as no surprise to you. Please join me in learning how to properly care for engineered hardwood floors!

There are several ways to clean engineered hardwood floors, and you’ll learn how to pick the best cleaning solution for your needs in this post. To keep your floors looking their best for a long time, follow this simple approach.

How to Clean Your Engineered Hardwood Floors

It’s normal for a home to have a lot of clutter on the floor. Engineered hardwood floors, on the other hand, tend to reveal grime and dust more than other types of flooring. When your pet sheds or your children come in from playing outside, it’s visible since there are no grooves or strands for the dirt to hide in. That being said, it’s easy to tell when the floors need to be cleaned when they start making a lot of noise. It’s better to clean up any problems soon rather than allowing them to fester for weeks on end. As a bonus, your house will be free of allergens and other irritants that could lead to health problems. Keeping your house tidy doesn’t have to be a hassle. You can maintain your floors looking as new as the day you installed them if you follow these simple measures and make them a habit.

14 Tips for Engineered Flooring Care - Urbanfloor Blog

Sweep Regularly

For the most part, cleaning engineered hardwood floors only requires a basic understanding of how to use a broom. To keep loose dirt, dust, pet hair, and other debris from piling up, sweep on a regular basis. You can also use a lightweight vacuum, but be careful not to damage your flooring by using one with a rotating bristle bar. Use a floor brush attachment instead of a beater bar if your vacuum has a beater bar. The frequency with which you should sweep or vacuum your floors depends on the amount of foot traffic they receive. You may need to sweep your hallways and entryways every day or every other day depending on how busy they are. You may just need to check in on low-traffic areas once a week.

Use a Damp Mop

It’s also a good idea to do a little mopping every now and then. The frequency with which you mop your floors will be determined by the amount of traffic they see. With more people in the room, mopping is needed roughly once per week, while in less-frequently used rooms it may only be needed once every two months. To keep your engineered hardwood floor looking its best, use a mop to keep it clean. Always use a damp mop or towel rather than a wet one when cleaning. You should still be careful not to let moisture get into the wood even if engineered hardwood floors are more water-resistant than solid hardwood. Use only as much water as is necessary to ensure that it evaporates within a few minutes, rather than leaving puddles. Your floors should be dry to the touch once you finish mopping.

Deep Clean Occasionally

Cleaning your floors on a regular basis isn’t enough to prevent dirt and grime from building up. Engineered hardwood floors might benefit from a few deep cleaning products and techniques. To avoid damaging your engineered hardwood floors, use a cleaner made exclusively for them, like From the Forest’s hardwood flooring cleaner. Cleaners containing harsh chemicals might harm the finish on your floors, so avoid them at all costs! Wipe the surface down with the cleaning agent and then wipe it up again. It’s critical to use a mop or cloth that’s damp but not soaked when mopping. To remove any remaining cleaning solution residue, hose off your floors and dry them well with a clean, dry towel afterward.

Taking Care of Scratches

In addition to regular cleaning, you should guard your flooring against dents and scratches. A scratch-proof hardwood floor is unattainable, but there are a few tactics and solutions you may employ to minimize damage. Scratches in your hardwood floors can be concealed in a number of methods, reducing their visibility and the likelihood of subsequent damage. Scratch concealers cover up the unsightly white lines left behind after the application of makeup. As a bonus, this will keep moisture from soaking into the wood and prevent more scratching.

Tips on How to Maintain Engineered Hardwood Floors - Twenty & Oak

Things to Avoid

It is important to know what not to do when it comes to engineered hardwood flooring care and maintenance. As previously stated, cleaning products containing harsh chemicals, such as ammonia, should be avoided. Avoid wax-based cleansers and oil soaps as well. When buffing off blemishes or scratches, only use a soft material such as a cloth or sponge to apply your cleaners. Dust and debris can be easily collected using a microfiber mop or towel. Be cautious while cleaning your floors with steamers, wet mops, or similar tools since they can cause warping or other damage by allowing water to infiltrate between the planks.

Other Tips and Tricks

Engineered hardwood floors are prone to scuffs, scratches, and other minor blemishes. When it comes to protecting your floors, there are a number of tactics and strategies you may use, no matter how many pets and children you have. Keep a close eye on the mess. Before the moisture has a chance to get into the wood and create damage, immediately clean up any spills. Dirt, gravel, and other outdoor material that can find its way inside can be captured by placing floor mats near openings. Rugs and runners for the entryway, hallway, and other high-traffic areas are also available. Latex or rubber mats might ruin the finish of your flooring if you use them. Scratches can be prevented by placing protective mats under chairs and tables with wheels. The same is true for your furniture. Ensure that the bottom legs of all your furniture have felt padding. When you move or rearrange furniture, you won’t have to worry about ruining your floors anymore.

When it comes to maintaining your engineered hardwood floors, it may seem like a pain at first, but it will pay off in the long run. Engineered hardwood flooring made from maple, walnut, hickory, and oak from the forests of North America is available at From the Forest, along with the cleaning tools and knowledge you need to keep it looking its best. You can retain the elegant and historic elegance that first drew you to these floors with a little attention and work.

Engineered Wood Cleaning Mistakes

Knowing what not to do is sometimes the easiest approach to take care of your engineered floor. It’s important to avoid some cleaning procedures for engineered wood floors because of the long-term damage they can create. What do you think?

A list of what not to use

  • Do not use ammonia, wax-based cleansers, or oil soaps on your engineered wood floor because these compounds might damage its structure.
  • Steam mop your engineered hardwood planks to avoid warping. As a result, items such as steam mops, wet mops, or any kind of cleaning that involves water on the floor should be avoided.
  • Avoid using steel wool brushes to apply cleaning agents, as they might damage surfaces. As an alternative, you may use a microfiber cloth or mop, or even a soft bristle broom and sweeping solution.

Cleaning is the fun part now that you know what not to do!

How Often to Clean Hardwood Floors

Wood floors should be swept, vacuumed, or dust mopped on a daily basis to keep the finish bright and clean, and spills should be wiped up as soon as they occur. Depending on how often the floors are used, a more thorough cleaning should be performed.

How to Clean Laminate Wood-Look Flooring

Laminate flooring that mimics wood grain is simple to maintain. Wipe up accidents as soon as they occur and sweep or vacuum often. You can use a steam mop for more thorough cleaning, but avoid wet mopping because it will warp the underlayers. Avoid cleaning products that promise to leave a sheen, such as pine oil or ammonia-based cleaners. The laminate will look dull because of the waxy buildup. Instead, dampen your mop with a tiny amount of regular dishwashing solutions in warm water.

6 Tips to Prevent Scratches on Wood Floors

Because scratches make flooring appear dull and wear out faster, they should be avoided. Scratches can be avoided with a few simple steps.

  • Chair and table legs should be protected with felt padding.
  • Hardwood flooring should never be directly touched by the pots of houseplants.
  • Avoid dragging large goods or furniture across the floor at all costs.
  • When walking on a hardwood floor, avoid wearing high heels or cleats.
  • Make sure to clean your doormats on a regular basis and place them both inside and outside of main entrances. Scratches can be minimized in a home by limiting the amount of grit brought in.
  • Trim and file your pet’s nails regularly.

FAQ

Do you have any other concerns? Engineered hardwood cleaning FAQs are available here.

Can I steam clean engineered wood floors?

Steam cleaning is not suggested for engineered wood floors when it comes to maintaining them. If you use steam cleaning on engineered wood planks, you risk damaging the planks and the subfloor beneath them. Steam cleaning engineered wood floors is not recommended unless you plan to replace them every few years.

How do you clean engineered wood floors without streaks?

Start with the correct cleaning solution to eliminate streaks and cloudiness on engineered hardwood floors. Cleaning your floors will be a lot easier if you use non-streak products. These products, such as Bona and Simple Green Multi-Surface Floor Care, are noted for their streak-free results.

Streaks and residue can also be caused by not thoroughly rinsing and cleaning your mop or mop pad. If your mop is soiled, even if you use clean water and solution, it will leave behind residue. It’s important to rinse and wring out your mop thoroughly before and after you’ve finished cleaning.

How to Clean Engineered Hardwood Floors The Best Way

Is Swiffer good for engineered hardwood floors?

Swiffer mops can be used to sweep and damp-mop your engineered hardwood. One of the greatest equipment for cleaning engineered hardwood is the Swiffer Wet-Jet. Getting rid of filth and dried-on dirt can be accomplished without using a lot of water by using the sprayer function sparingly and applying strong pressure to the mop. Dry and wet refills from the Swiffer are also excellent options for removing loose dirt or removing stubborn stains.

Swiffer products can leave behind a small amount of water on your floors, so be sure to wipe it up with a clean towel if there is any residue.

Can you refinish engineered wood floors?

It is possible to refinish engineered floors that have a wear layer of at least three millimeters in thickness. Real wood veneer may be too thin and cause harm to your engineered wood planks if its wear layer is less than 3 mm. If you’re unsure about how to refinish your floor, it’s always advisable to consult with the manufacturer.

What’s the best cleaner for engineered wood floors?

You can ask your floor manufacturer about the best cleaning for their product if you’re looking for one for your engineered wood flooring. Wood floor cleansers like Bona or Simple Green Multi-Surface Floor Care can also be purchased in stores. You can, however, make your own cleaning solution by combining household materials like warm water, white vinegar, essential oils, or lemon juice with a few drops of essential oil. In the end, what works best for you and your floors is the best cleaner.

However, ammonia and steam cleansers, which can damage engineered hardwood floors, should be avoided.

What’s the difference between engineered hardwood and solid hardwood?

In terms of construction, installation, and application, hardwood and engineered hardwood are vastly different. For a realistic wood look, engineered wood planks are coated with a thin layer of real wood veneer. They are then constructed from man-made materials such as HDF or stone-plastic composite (SPC). Engineered wood is low-maintenance because of this construction’s water-resistance. Engineered hardwood has a straightforward tongue and groove installation technique, making it easier for DIYers to install. Engineered hardwood can be used in more rooms of the house than solid hardwood because of its versatility in installation.

Can engineered hardwood get wet?

Engineered hardwood should not be exposed to prolonged periods of wetness. If you have engineered wood floors, it is imperative that you quickly remove any excess moisture. Otherwise, moisture seeps through the planks to the subfloor and causes your planks to warp.

Can you repair scratches on an engineered hardwood floor?

Engineered hardwood should not be exposed to prolonged periods of wetness. If you have engineered wood floors, it is imperative that you quickly remove any excess moisture. Otherwise, moisture seeps through the planks to the subfloor and causes your planks to warp.

How long does engineered wood flooring last?

Engineered hardwood should not be exposed to prolonged periods of wetness, even in the event of a spill or accident. Clean up any excess moisture from your engineered wood flooring immediately. Otherwise, moisture penetrates through the planks to the subfloor and causes your planks to distort.

Conclusion

However, even if a spill or accident occurs, engineered hardwood should not be exposed to long periods of wetness. As soon as possible, remove any excess water from your engineered wood floors. Your planks will distort if moisture enters into the subfloor via the planks.

Try out some free samples or start shopping for your new floor today if you like the look of engineered hardwood floors.

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