Seals form a barrier between the

wood and liquids or abrasions.

Materials commonly used to seal

hardwood floors today include

urethane, polyacrylic, and

polyurethane.

It’s important to keep in mind, oil

treated or untreated floors

require special care. When you

seal a floor, however, the cleaner

comes into contact with the seal,

not the wood..

Keeping dust particles off of floors will keep

dirt from getting ground into the finish.

Removing spills and treating stains instantly

will keep deep stains from penetrating the

finish and the wood.

Using an auto floor sweeper once a week, or

more often in high traffic areas, will keep

hardwood floors from requiring more intense

cleaning as often.

Put floor protectors on the legs

of furniture to prevent

scratches when scooting or

from weight.

Place mats near all entryways

to prevent dirt and water from

being tracked inside.

Avoid wearing heels on the

wood floors.

Keep indoor pets’ nails

trimmed.

In many cases, water is the strongest cleaner that

you will need to use on your hardwood floor.

Avoid “home remedies” using lemon juice, vinegar,

ammonia, and other acidic ingredients that can be

just as harmful to your finish as some chemicals.

Never leave hardwood floors wet. Use a soft cloth to

dry up puddles and pick up remaining moisture.

Never use products with wax that can build up and

dull your hardwood floor.

Use tools that are made specifically for

use on hardwood floors.

A Clarke floor sweeper designed for

use on wood surfaces is ideal for

cleaning large areas.

Microfiber mops are soft and they hold

onto dirt that could be moved around

with regular mops, leading to scratches.

Dusting and damp mopping are better

options than vacuuming with a

traditional upright that could damage

the floor’s surface.

Some liquids can permeate

the floor’s finish over time if

they aren’t cleaned up

immediately.

For stubborn spills, use a

50/50 bleach and water

mixture that you leave on the

stained area just until the

stain fades. Rinse with water

and dry.

Products with wax may look great after the first application, but the wax will

build up over time and begin to look not so shiny.

An auto floor sweeper with the appropriate buffing pad can bring a new shine

to old wood floors.

Use two teabags and boiling water to create a brew that will make hardwood

floors shine naturally.

Many products made to clean hardwood

floors contain chemicals that are actually

harmful to your floors, children, pets, and

the environment.

Look for “green” cleaning products that are

safe. Today’s new eco-friendly products

are made to be effective without the

harmful effects of traditional cleaners.

Performance Systems Janitorial Supply is a trusted resource for auto floor sweepers,

scrubbers, and a variety of janitorial supplies and parts to keep floors clean at

competitive prices. PS Janitorial products include high-quality refurbished cleaning

equipment that is available at a much lower cost than buying new.

To learn more, visit www.psjanitorial.com or call 1-800-747-5096.

Sources

• http://www.today.com/home/how-clean-

hardwood-floors-101-2D12054704

• http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/best-

tips-for-cleaning-hardwood-floors-199663

Summary

Prevention is the best way to care for

hardwood floors. Keeping dust and grit off of

the floor by dusting or sweeping can prevent

the need for more intense cleaning. For

larger areas and those with heavy traffic,

consider an auto floor sweeper.