Hardwood Floor Cleaning With Steam

Question

I've had hardwood floors down for a couple of years now and love it. I clean with a solution of vinegar and water. But after a couple of years I'm feeling the need for a deep clean. I have a steam cleaner and would love to "tear" into the floors with it but I'm hesitant because I've always heard that water and wood don't mix and the floors might buckle.
Any ideas?

Any ideas?

KMS Woodworks · Answer

don't do it...Steam cleaners should only be used on tile...the best way to clean a wood floor is with a very lightly dampen towel.

Water and or steam can get between and under the floor planks where raw unfinished wood lives...this can swell and cause trouble.

Kay R · Answer

Thanks for the advice KMS. I just called the company we bought the floor from and she said not only
 NO but NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!! Crisis averted :)

Sherrie · Answer

I would also quit cleaning with vinegar...my rant of the day. Vinegar is a acid...a weak acid but never less a acid. You are cleaning the finish and this protects your floors. Vinegar will etch it slowly and make it cloudy. People who seal their floors with wax are kind of a exception. They seal and reveal their floors at lest once if not twice a year. Never less I wouldn't use it. kMS is right. Slight damp water method is best. I still do it a bit different. Sometimes you have to clean your floors.i use a micro fiber mop. I take the pad roll it up in a bucket full of warm water and soak it. Then I squeeze as much water out of it as I can. Wash the floor. The key is to dry it. Water can also cause damage so drying your floors are important. If you need a cleaner a neutral cleaner is best. I use another micro-fiber pad that is dry and I dry my floors. If the floors are dusty then I use a bottle of spray water. I spray a small area and dry. If your floors are new then I will tell you or scream at you to find the manufactures sight and find their guidelines to cleaning. Why? You could be voiding your warranty if you ever have a problem with your floor and don't follow their guidelines they can refuse to fix it. I have a cleaning business and follow the manufactors guidelines. Not the store the manufactories. My customers expect it and I want to protect them.

LandlightS · Answer

The very best cleaner for hardwood floor is Bona....and is available at the 2 big box stores, some Ace hardware and mass market retailers. BUT...please, no more vinegar or water on wood.
Gary

Kay R · Answer

Thanks for the replies - I'll try Bona.

Kimberly · Answer

I use Bona also...love it! I was told to not use vinegar and water on my wood because it's prefinished. They have Bona for tile also, great stuff.

Julie Zolman · Answer

I used Bona and it left streaks. It didn't feel like my floor was clean and it didn't look like it either was disappointed! So all I use is a damp Norwex environmental cloth! Love it!

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