Timber is a highly desirable flooring material that can look absolutely gorgeous in your home. But it requires a particular kind of maintenance and knowledge, including how to clean timber floors.

In this article, we’ll walk you through the best way to clean timber floors, to keep them in great condition.

General cleaning of timber floors

General cleaning of timber floors requires two main steps—vacuuming, and mopping. Here is the full process.

1. Vacuum

Dust, dirt, hair, and other particles can easily scratch timber flooring, so it’s best to vacuum weekly or biweekly. If you really want to take care of your flooring, this includes the arduous task of moving furniture and vacuuming underneath it.

When vacuuming, be sure to use the vacuum’s soft flooring attachment, as this will avoid damaging the floor.

2. Mop

Once you’re satisfied your flooring is free of dust and dirt, you’ll need to mop. Microfibre mops are the most suitable types for hardwood flooring, or you can even purchase mops that are specifically designed for the job.

For general cleaning, you won’t need anything fancier than water. And when it comes to mopping hardwood floors, you’ll want to use as little water as possible, because excess moisture can seep into the wood’s gaps and cause it to warp. Some microfibre mops (such as the Sabco SuperSwish Spray Mop) allow you to spray a little water as you clean, which is then immediately mopped with the brush. This allows you to control the amount of water that is being applied during mopping. If you have a conventional microfibre mop that includes a bucket, you’ll want to wring out as much water as you can before placing it on the floor.

Before you start mopping, turn on any ceiling fans or air conditioners in the space, to speed up the drying process.

When you’re ready to start mopping, focus on the perimeter of the room first, ensuring that you press up against the skirting boards. Once you’re done, pick the most convenient corner of the room, and work your way to the opposite corner. To avoid streaks, you should mop along the direction of the hardwood grain.

How to deep clean timber floors

To deep clean hardwood floors, you’ll need something stronger than water. Thankfully, there are plenty of cleaning products designed specifically for hardwood flooring, such as Glitz’s Hardwood Floor Cleaner, or Earth Choice’s Floor Cleaner for Wooden Surfaces. Just make sure to follow the instructions carefully during the cleaning process, as timber flooring is delicate.

If you’d prefer to deep clean your hardwood floors naturally, you can use either of the following solutions:

  • Half a bucket of water, and six drops of dishwashing liquid
  • Half a bucket of water, and half a cup of white vinegar

How to remove stains from timber floors

When regular and deep cleaning isn’t enough to remove stubborn stains, you can try a  methylated spirit solution instead. This is made up of half a bucket of water, and just a single tablespoon of methylated spirits, which should be lightly mopped and then allowed to dry. Again, it’s vitally important to ensure that the mop is as dry as possible before cleaning, as excess moisture can damage the timber.

Timber Flooring Gold Coast

If you are looking for timber flooring on the Gold Coast, contact our showroom today.Â