According to the World Floor Covering Association (WFCA): “We cannot find a manufacturer of either laminate flooring or hardwood flooring that will recommend the use of Steam Cleaning equipment on their floors.”
This is because wood is a porous material and will let moisture in. Although your floor may be sealed there may be areas that have worn through, especially in an area of high foot traffic such as the hall way or kitchen.
Although many steamers have a mop head these can still leave a good deal of moisture on the floor, also steam is a very fine product that can penetrate the smallest of fissures in the protective layer, and also get between the floor boards. This will go beyond the protective layer and moisture will start to make the wood swell.
The recommended method is to clean your wooden floor would be:
- Use a good quality floor cleaner - don not use Bleach, Ammonia or wood polishes.
- Dilute the directed quantity of cleaner with hot water
- Use a good quality mop and bucket - preferably a two sided bucked 1.with solution 2. with clean water to rinse
- Dip mop in bucket with solution and drain much of the water
- Mop floor in direction of grain
- Once cleaned rinse mop in clean water and go over floor to remove much of the residual solution - drying as thoroughly as possible.
- Optional - Buff floor with old towel to remove any residual water and leave a good sine to the floor.
The key is to not let the wood become excessively wet and remove as much moisture as possible as soon as possible.
For more information about our services contact the team on 01223 863632 or at www.artofclean.co.uk to find out more.
