How to Clean Engineered Hardwood Floors

Engineered hardwood is simply gorgeous. However, like all hardwood floors, it tends to exhibit dust and debris fairly easily, much more easily than carpet, which hides that dust in the depths of its carpet fibers.

On an engineered hardwood floor, the debris and dust has nowhere to hide (which is a plus for people with allergies). Now you can learn the best way to clean it!

Keeping your Engineered Wood Flooring Spick and Span

Although they show dirt and debris easily,  engineered hardwood floors are also easier to clean than other kinds of floors , like carpet and tile. All you need is a vacuum or a broom, a damp mop with a towel, and a cleaner recommended by the manufacturer for spots which may be tougher.  Don’t use a steam cleaner or any cleaners which are vinegar- or ammonia-based .

How to Keep Your Floor Clean: A Detailed Guide

Sweep and/or Vacuum on a Regular Basis

Use a vacuum (with the brush roll turned off, if possible) or a broom with soft bristles to vacuum or to sweep up any loose dust, dirt, pet dander, or other debris.  A lightweight vacuum is more than enough for this purpose.  Do this regularly (at least once a week or perhaps even daily if you have children and pets), in order to limit the need for more in-depth cleaning.

Any piles of debris and dirt you collect on the floor should be removed with a dustpan or a vacuum.

Clean with a Damp Mop

After sweeping or vacuuming, use a damp mop, a Swiffer, or a hardwood steam mop to go over your floors and pick up anything that was missed by the sweeping/vacuuming. Make sure that the mop is damp and not soaking wet, as excess moisture can damage your engineered hardwood floors. Take a clean towel and use it to soak up any excess moisture from the mopping.

Deep Clean Your Floors

Once in a while (perhaps once every two to four months, depending on the need), you should use a cleaning solution suggested by the manufacturer of your floors to get rid of the dirt that builds up over time. If you don’t have a solution from your manufacturer, buy a cleaning product that is specifically designed for engineered hardwood floors.

Using a mop, apply the cleaning solution to your floors.  Sponge mops or rag mops are best for this purpose.  The mop should be damp and not soaking wet. Mop once with the cleaner, then again with clean water to wash away the cleaning product.

After mopping with the cleaning product and again with water (making sure that the mop is damp and not overly wet each time), dry off any excess moisture using a clean towel.

Cleaning your floors in the three-fold manner described above will keep your engineered hardwood looking its best.