The Best Way to Clean Engineered Wood Floors
Keeping engineered wood floors clean is an ongoing effort.
Some cleaning methods require more frequent attention than others.
Here are the best options.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
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Sweep Daily
Routinely sweeping engineered wood floors prevents dirt, dust, and debris from building up.
With asoft-bristled broom, sweep the entire floor space.
Target high-traffic areas or those with a high concentration of crumbs, dirt, or debris.
Daily sweeping will prevent scuffing or scratching, which can cause irreversible damage.
Vacuum Regularly
Alternatively, try dailyvacuuming instead of sweeping.
Ensure the vacuum is set to “hardwood mode” and use a soft brush attachment.
Do not use the rotating bristle attachment, which could scratch and scuff the engineered wood.
Gently vacuum the entire area, again targeting the high-traffic or debris-prone areas.
This weekly cleaning should tackle any sticky spills or scuff marks that a broom or vacuum might miss.
A microfiber mop or Swiffer cleaner can be most effective with sensitive flooring materials.
Cleaning with a mop head that’s too wet could warp or damage the engineered wood.
Be sure never to steam mop either, as the heat and moisture will ruin the floors.
Use a store-bought or homemade pH-neutral solution to clean the entirety of the flooring.
Avoid bleach, ammonia, or productsthat aren’t specifically designed for engineered wood floors.
Always spot-test on a small, hidden area of the floor before cleaning a larger surface.
For thisDIY cleaner, youll need distilled water, white vinegar, and dish soap.
How to Remove Common Stains from Engineered Wood Floor
Accidents and spills happen.
Avoid harsh bristled brushes and steel scrubbing pads that could scratch the floor.
Instead, soak a soft microfiber cloth in a small amount of hydrogen peroxide.
Don’t apply the hydrogen peroxide directly to the flooring.
Wring the cloth out and gently blot the stain.
Then, remove the cloth and wipe the area clean.
Dry thoroughly to prevent warping.
Too much moisture could lead to warping or infrastructure issues if moisture seeps between the board cracks.
Use Wood-Safe Products
Only use cleaning products that are safe for engineered wood flooring.
Often, floor manufacturers sell products specifically labeled for safe use.
Avoid bleach or ammonia products.
Avoid Harsh or Abrasive Tools
Stick to soft-bristled brooms, microfiber cloths, and cloth mop heads.
Use soft cleaning tools to prevent irreversible scratches, scuff marks, or damage to the floor finish.
The heat and moisture could damage or warp the boards.
Instead, clean with damp mopping.
Signs that you may need a deeper clean include any lingering smells or stains that arent easily removed.
Professionals use specialized equipment for buffing or refinishing.
A microfiber mop works well, as doSwiffer or Bonamops.
All are made from gentle materials that wont scratch or damage the floors while cleaning.
Refinishing frequency depends on the floors thickness.
The thinner the floor, the less frequently it will be able tohandle being refinished.
Floors that are 1mm thick should not be refinished because the thin layer could be damaged when its sanded.
Floors that are 4mm thick can be refinished up to 3 times in their lifetime.
