The Best Mops for Cleaning Hardwood Flooring

Flooring Hardwood Flooring Installation & Care Installation & Care 0

Hardwood floors can make your home look bright, fresh, and inviting. To keep these surfaces sparkling, you’ll need to clean them regularly, but not just any mop can do the job. Check out the best mops for cleaning hardwood flooring, and make your home shine.

Dust Mop

Whether your home has hardwood floors on each level or you’ve installed them in just one or two rooms, you’ll want to keep a dust mop handy at all times. These dry mops are essential for the light cleaning that your hardwood floors require regularly.

If you’ve never used a dust mop before, think of it as a broom with a base that features a soft cover rather than harsh bristles. Thanks to their cushioned, flexible bases, dust mops are gentler on hardwood and better at cleaning this type of surface.

Most hardwood floors are designed to be as durable as possible, but their natural materials can still scratch or dent in many situations. Both indoor and outdoor debris like dirt, dust, and sand can wear away the smooth, even surface of your hardwood each time you tread on the floors or walk across the room.

To keep your hardwood floors looking as good as new, choose a dust mop with a cotton or microfiber base cover that’s designed to pick up debris easily. Use your dust mop to clean the hardwood at least once a week, or even more frequently if your floors tend to attract dirt and debris. Never use cleaning solutions with dust mops, as they tend to attract even more dust over time.

After mopping, brush the accumulated debris into the trash, or throw the base cover into the washing machine. Replace the base cover when the fibers begin to wear down or when the dust mop starts to lose its effectiveness.

Steam Mop

For long-term maintenance for hardwood floors, invest in a steam mop. These devices go way beyond surface-level dust and debris, thanks to their power to steam away even the most stubborn dirt and stains. With a steam mop, you can even make your hardwood’s finish brighter without having to resort to harsh cleaning products. Since you only have to fill a steam mop once to clean an entire room, you don’t have to worry about making a mess with a traditional mop and bucket either.

Keep in mind, however, that you should only use a steam mop to clean hardwood floors with completely intact seals. Using these devices on hardwood without an intact finish can cause serious damage.

To choose the best steam mop for your hardwood floors, look for one with a flexible microfiber head that can tackle even hard-to-reach or oddly shaped spots. Opting for a steam mop with an extended cord increases the convenience factor and lets you clean more without having to switch the device to another outlet.

To use a steam mop effectively, use a dust mop to eliminate loose dust and dirt. Then go over the floor with a steam mop, taking care to change the mop head regularly to avoid spreading dirt across the room.

Traditional Mop and Bucket

While steam mops can supercharge your cleaning regimen and dust mops are essential for routine tidying, traditional mops offer the ideal middle ground. After all, dust mops can’t pick up the oils and spills that build up on your hardwood over weeks and months, and using a steam mop can be time consuming. Wet mops, however, can give your hardwood floors just the deep cleaning they need.

To get your floors as clean as possible, choose a mop head with looped ends. This type cleans faster and lasts longer, as you can wash and reuse these wet mop heads again and again. In a pinch, a mop head with cut ends will do the job, but this type has a tendency to fray and doesn’t hold up to repeated use. Be sure to choose the mop head material carefully, too. Microfiber mop heads are lint-free and best for perfectly clean floors, while cotton mop heads also work well, thanks to their low cost and excellent absorption.

Before using a wet mop, remove dirt and debris with a dust mop. Then soak the mop in a bucket of warm water and wring out the excess moisture. Mop the entire surface once, taking care not to leave pools of water on the hardwood. After the initial round of mopping, use a fresh bucket of water and a clean mop to rinse the floor. Repeat every two months to keep floors clean, or consider adding an extra wet mop cleaning session before the holidays or prior to hosting a big get-together.

Use the Right Cleaning Solution

Wet mops must be used with the right solution to clean your floors effectively. Rather than opting for an all-purpose cleaner, which can damage hardwood or dull the finish, always choose a cleaning solution designed for mopping hardwood floors. As a general rule, solutions with pH levels around seven tend to get hardwood as clean as possible without causing damage. Always read the instructions on the bottle to determine whether you need to dilute the solution before applying it to the floor.

To make your hardwood shine without using store-bought products, consider concocting your own solution. White vinegar is excellent for removing caked-on dirt, and you can create a cleaning solution quickly by mixing a half-cup of white vinegar with a gallon of water. Be sure to rinse the floors with fresh water to mitigate any odors.

No matter which cleaning solution you use, take care not to use too much. Avoid leaving any standing liquid on your hardwood floors, as it can seep into cracks between planks, eventually causing damage.

From a routine dusting to deep cleaning, the right mop can make your home sparkle. Mop your floors regularly and keep your hardwood floors looking great for years to come.