Engineered hardwood flooring is a stunning alternative to traditional solid wood. It comes with some fantastic perks, like excellent waterproofing and sound insulation, making it a top pick for both commercial and residential spaces. With a lifespan of around 25 to 40 years, these durable floors bring warmth and elegance to any room.
Just as any further floor, the clean engineered hardwood floors needs regular cleaning and suitable keep to look its best in the years to come. Cleaning engineered hardwood floors is easy. With the right repetitive and a few smart behaviors, you can keep your floors spotless without damaging the finish.
In this article, we’ll walk you through how to clean engineered hardwood floors specifically, what not to do, and care tips to keep it looking great for years.
How to Keep Your Engineered Hardwood Floors Spotless
Engineered hardwood is more moisture and dust-resistant than solid wood, but still needs careful cleaning.
Here is how to clean engineered hardwood floors.
Daily Care
In high-traffic areas, you should commit to sweeping or mopping your engineered hardwood floors once or every other day. In low-traffic areas, you may only need to do it once a week to remove dust and grime.
Clean with a soft-bristle broom that does not scratch the finish or grind debris into the wood. The mop should be made of microfiber cloth and mustn’t be soaked in water when applied. Instead, use a damp mop to clean your floor.
Regular sweeping and mopping can keep floors looking their best while preventing scratches caused by rough materials.
Weekly Care
Engineered hardwood floors don’t retain dust and pollutants like carpets, so you don’t have to space daily. Though, a broom can miss some fine atoms that negatively impact indoor air quality.
- Vacuuming your engineered hardwood flooring once a week is recommended. It should be set on a hard floor setting with a soft-bristle attachment. Moreover, never use a vacuum with a beater bar or rotating brush; they can scratch and dull your floor’s finish.
- If the floor needs a little refresh, use a specialized pH-neutral engineered hard floor cleaner to clean the floor. Spray the cleaner on the dirty section and wipe it with a damp cloth. The best practice is to work in small sections and dry them immediately with a clean cloth if necessary.
Long-Term Care
Engineered hardwood flooring benefits from occasional waxing and oiling. Depending on the wear and tear, it may need handling every 6 to 18 months. Waxingand improving the floors will restore the glossy, like-new shine while adding a protective layer to the veneer.
Similarly, in the realm of Interior design, there will come a time when you need to refurbish engineered hardwood flooring. So, you will have to sand down the top layer and add a new finish coat. But keep in mind, these floors have a thin veneer, unlike a thick hardwood floor. An engineered hardwood floor with a 3mm or over wear layer can only be sanded two to three times in its lifetime.
We recommend regularly cleaning, waxing, and oiling to prolong the life of your floors.
What to Avoid When Cleaning Engineered Hardwood Floors
In addition to learning how to clean engineered hardwood floors, it’s essential to know what NOT to do. We have seen many families and homeowners falling into the trap of “trying out” new solutions or using what they have around the house. It can lead to damage, so learn what to avoid when you are cleaning these hardwood floors.
1. Abrasive Scrubbers
Abrasive scrubbers, like a hard plastic scrub brush or steel wool, can wear down the finish on your floors and scratch the hardwood below. Although it takes some extra effort to remove gunk, stick with soft supplies like a toothbrush.
2. Steam Cleaners
Steam cleaners are great for all kinds of cleaning, but one thing, engineered hardwood floors. The cleaner forces steam into the cracks and reaches temperatures high enough to kill the germs and viruses and sanitize the surface.
The high temperature, seeping steam, and concentrated moisture can damage porous surfaces, causing wrapping that is hard to repair. In short, steam cleaners do more harm than good to engineered hardwood floors.
3. Harsh Chemicals
Homeowners often use heavy-hitters like bleach and ammonia-based solutions to clean stubborn stains. They don’t understand the floor and cleaner’s properties and end up causing discoloration and damage to the wood’s surface.
Whenever you try something new, always spot test before using it on your entire floor. And always avoid bleaching agents and ammonia-based cleaners on engineered hardwood floors.
4. Do Not Use Vinegar-Based Solutions
It is a popular home remedy, recommended by many DIYers. However, we are not entirely convinced by its effectiveness on these floors. Many independent retailers have tested it, confirming that these solutions are not suitable for engineered hardwood floors.
After thorough testing, they have confirmed this solution can dull and even strip the finish in some cases.
How to Protect Engineered Hardwood Floors
When you buy the engineered hardwood floors from trusted sellers like Royal Floors Online, this already confirms the reality and quality of the flooring.
These tips and tricks will help you keep your floors looking fresh for a long time.
- Wipe Spills Immediately: The longer a spill sits, the further likely it’s going to leave a stain. It is a simple tip, but can protect your floors, because engineered hardwood floors are water-resistant, not waterproof. So, if you see something like curry, pet urine, or just water on the floor, clean it when you see it.
- Use Rugs in High-Traffic Areas: Dirt and stone with shoes and toys can damage the floor surface. We recommend using floor mats and area rugs in entryways and busy areas around your home. They will trap dirt & moisture and protect floors from outdoor shoes, high heels, and metal-trimmed soles damage.
- Felt Padding Under the Furniture: Whenever someone sits on the furniture, they move a little, especially on the engineered hardwood floor. This creates marks over time and can damage the protective layer. We recommend attaching felt pads to the bottom of chairs, sofas, and tables to prevent scratching and sliding.
- Lift Items Instead of Dragging: Dragging and sliding are never an option on this floor. Call a friend if no one is nearby, but never slide the furniture on this floor. Always lift the furniture to avoid gouges, slide marks, and dents.
- Keep Your Pets Nails Trimmed: Dogs and cats have a habit of damaging floors, and their erratic behavior can damage your property. Keep their nails trimmed.
Conclusion
Engineered hardwood floors are an excellent choice for style and durability, but like any premium surface, they need proper care. With daily dusting, weekly vacuuming, and long-term habits, you’ll keep your floors gleaming without much effort.
Remember: avoid excess water, harsh chemicals, and steam, and treat your floor gently. That’s the key to keeping them beautiful for decades.
