Can You Use Vacuum on Hardwood Floors

Most homeowners have just a vague idea of how to keep their hardwood floors in good condition. So, how should you go about maintaining and protecting your brand new hardwood floors now that they’ve been installed? Is scrubbing with wet rags the best approach to get rid of germs, or is mopping more effective? Can You Use A Vacuum On Hardwood Floors?

Everyone has heard the horror stories about vacuuming hardwood floors and why we shouldn’t go near those lovely floorboards with the Hoover. But cleaning your hardwood floors is a wonderful thing if you do it correctly.

Your vacuum is an efficient tool for removing all of the unwanted dirt from your hardwood floor’s intricate cracks. The suction power of a vacuum cleaner is unmatched at removing dirt from your floor’s superficial cracks. When it comes to hardwood floors, vacuums outperform mopping techniques. That is because they remove the dirt and debris as they come in rather than spreading it about, which increases the risk of scratches.

In addition, most mopping solutions (even vinegar) leave a chemical residue that attracts dust and debris, leading hardwood floors to become damaged and dull over time. Grit collects on your hardwood floors, dulling its finish and resulting in long-term (and costly) damage. So now the main question is, can you use a vacuum on hardwood floors?

Can You Use Vacuum on Hardwood Floors

Hardwood floors can be damaged by vacuum cleaners, but only if you use the ‘wrong’ sort of vacuum. Some finish wood flooring cleaners are better at cleaning finished wood floors than carpet, while others are equally effective on both types of surfaces.

Your strong upright can’t take it if you just use it on hardwood floors. Despite its powerful suction, this vacuum is made for pounding your carpets and agitating dirt and debris embedded in the carpet fibers’ undersides. A beater brush with strong nylon bristles is typically used to agitate the mixture.

For the same reason you wouldn’t want to mop your floors with a stiff bristles brush, you shouldn’t use a regular upright on them either. The beater brush’s harsh bristles and vigorous agitation, as well as the upright wheels, might scratch and scrape your flooring.

When it comes to vacuuming your hardwood floor, consider that the quality and kind of vacuum you use; make a significant impact. According to the experts, a canister vacuum with an attached long, oval floor brush is the best choice for cleaning hardwood floors.

This sort of vacuum will allow you to have total control over your cleaning, reach difficult corners, and be softer on your floors than basic upright versions. Although an upright vacuum is the most convenient, be careful to switch off the revolving brush to avoid scratching your floor.

What Is The Best Way To Clean Hardwood Floors?

Now that you know that vacuums are safe for your loving hardwood floors, now let us get to know how to clean hardwood floors. Every hardwood floor needs a separate amount of maintenance. First, determine how much foot traffic your floors receive. And then develop a cleaning plan that makes the most sense for your particular situation.

Hardwood floors should be vacuumed at least once a week, and wet cleaned every one to two months to maintain a constant level of cleanliness (more or less frequently, depending on traffic). When it’s time to clean, simply follow these steps:
Wet-cleaning with any Hardwood Floor Cleaner Spray is recommended for surface-treated flooring. It would be best if you use a microfiber mop to pick up any dirt that has been dissolved after spraying a small 3-foot by 3-foot area with the cleaner.

Continue cleaning one little section at a time as you work your way around the entire floor.
Clean any spots that require a fast touch-up using a paper towel that has been moistened with water and squeezed out completely afterward.

Scuff Marks on Hardwood Floors: How to Remove Them

Because dirt isn’t always the primary source of a problem, scuffs on your hardwood floors may appear due to furniture movement or the wearing of shoes indoors. Fortunately, with a little elbow grease, they may be readily removed off the skin.

To eliminate minor scratches, use a clean, fuzzy sock or tennis ball to buff the area in question.
Heavy scuff marks may be removed by applying baking soda to a moist cloth. Then gently rubbing the spot until it vanishes. After rinsing with a moist paper towel, buff dry with a soft cloth.

Tips for Cleaning Hardwood Floors That Have Been Tried and Tested

Remove Your Shoes

My personal view is that taking your shoes off as you enter your home will go a long way toward avoiding nearly all of the tracked-in dirt that may cause damage to a wood floor’s finish. Dirt and grit are both abrasive, which means they will scratch flooring with repeated use.

As a result, one of the first recommendations is to refrain from wearing shoes inside the house. It reduces soil collection and the resulting damage to your flooring. There are many other reasons why this is a beneficial practice.

Vacuum On A Regular Basis

No other tool is as effective as a decent vacuum cleaner. Especially, in removing dirt and small particles from the cracks and crevices of a wood floor. A canister vacuum is an ideal choice. As it has a long, oval floor brush attachment that allows it to reach into tight areas. According to the expert recommendations, if you just have an upright type, be sure to switch off the spinning brush. It can prevent the bristles from harming your flooring.

Clean Up Spills Instantly

Although spills are unavoidable, allowing them to dry on the floor can degrade the surface and attract extra grime. Spills should be blotted promptly with an absorbent towel. If you allow water to pool on the floor, you are doing the ultimate sin. After that, wipe down the surface with a moist paper towel to remove any remaining residue and buff it dry.