Here at c2s, we cannot get enough of Urban Floors! They’re throughout the Molitor’s home (below) and Sport Court, and they’re in a countless number of the homes in which we have been contracted to install. Any chance we get, we rave about them!
Engineered hardwood floors are 100% natural wood and are constructed in multiple, cross-grain layers. The top layer comes in a variety of species and colors.
Each layer is laid cross-grain in different directions to increase durability, making it highly stable and less likely to expand from moisture, humidity, and fluctuating temperatures. A quality engineered hardwood floor can last upwards of 100 years when properly maintained.
Kayla and I recently met with our amazing Urban Floor rep, Kari, to see the new styles and talk more about their amazing flooring. One thing that Kari had stressed was that people need to maintain their floors properly.
One common misconception when maintaining the floors is, they can be treated like laminate flooring. But as we just described, engineered hardwood flooring is very different and the integrity of the floor can be jeopardized if neglected.
We have prepared a step-by-step guide to teach you how to properly clean engineered hardwood floors and protect your lifetime investment.
Floors collect messes. There is no avoiding this reality. And as impressive as engineered hardwood floors look, they tend to show off dust and dirt more than others.
Most floors have grooves for debris to hide, engineered hardwood flooring is not the case, but luckily this makes for easier cleanup. So regardless of what’s creating the mess, pets, kids, or work boots, you can keep it clean.
Step 1: Sweep Regularly
Keeping loose dust, dirt, pet hair, food, and other debris under control is your first line of defense to protect your flooring. Try and make it a daily chore, get the kids involved if you have to, but the longer you wait, the harder it will be to clean it up.
Step 2: Avoid a Wet Mop
It’s essential to mop your floors periodically, depending on the amount of traffic. However, excessive water can damage engineered hardwood quickly because water and wood do not mix. In addition, standing water can dull a finish, leave a discoloring residue, and warp the planks.
Instead, use a damp mop. This still allows you to clean your floors effectively without risking water damage.
Also, you should never use products with harsh chemicals. Even seemingly harmless ones such as Windex can start to wear down on the finish of the wood.
Urban Floors recommend and swear by Bona products. Specifically, the professional-grade Bona Floor Cleaner helps remove dirt and dust and keeps your floors intact.
We do not recommend all-purpose cleaners because they can dull the floor’s finish and leave a hazy residue instead of looking nice and sparkly clean.
Step 3: Deep Cleaning
Even with regular sweeping and mopping, there will still be some dirt and grime that seemingly slips through the cracks. However, there are several products you can use that are friendly to engineered hardwood.
When deep cleaning an engineered hardwood floor, use a solution from reputable brands such as Bona or From The Forest. So many other brands use harsh chemicals that will stain or damage your flooring.
It’s always better to use a little elbow grease!
Step 4: Prevent Dents and Scratches
The easiest way to fix scratches on your flooring is to avoid them altogether. Instead, use felt protectors or furniture coasters under heavy furniture. Ensure proper placing of mats and throw rugs at doorways, area rugs in the living rooms, and runners in the hallways.
If scratches still occur, scratch concealers eliminate the noticeable white lines and protect the surface from allowing moisture from seeping into the wood.
Do’s
- Immediately wipe up liquid spills with a cloth or paper towels
- Use soft materials to apply your cleaners
- Close curtains or blinds to limit direct sun exposure
- Maintain room temperature (60°–80° F) year-round
- Maintain the relative humidity in room/building between 30-50% year-round
- Placemat in front of the kitchen sink to protect from excess water
- Entryway boot-and-shoe trays for those winter months
Don’ts
- Use oil-based soaps
- Use harsh chemicals
- Use a steel wool brush or scouring pad
- Use steamers
- Use mats with latex or rubber backing
- Place porous flower pots or vases on the floor
- Slide heavy furniture without protective cloth or moving coasters
Urban Flooring has many great resources on its website, such as videos, to learn the proper way to clean your engineered hardwood floors.
Who knew that there could be so many right and wrong ways to clean wood floors! We hope this gave you some insight into the correct way to clean your engineered hardwood floors, as well as some great resources to help you along the way.
Looking to lay engineered hardwood floors? We have you covered!
How to Lay Engineered Hardwood Flooring Tutorial
Flooring Cleaning Products
Linked here, we have a selection of favorite hardwood floor cleaning products that prioritize both effectiveness and environmental consciousness. Among our top choices are Norwex cleaning products, known for their innovative microfiber technology that effortlessly captures dirt and debris while minimizing the need for harsh chemicals. Additionally, we rely on high-quality microfiber cloths, which provide gentle yet thorough cleaning without leaving behind residue or scratches. Complementing these tools is our trusty Shark vacuum cleaner, equipped with specialized attachments for hardwood floors, ensuring a deep clean while preserving the integrity of the wood surface. With these clean products at our disposal, we maintain pristine hardwood floors while minimizing our environmental footprint. Shop here.
Thanks for providing this useful information. Engineered wood flooring stands up better to moisture than standard hardwood floors, but it’s not waterproof.
Thank you so much!
We’ve just installed a new engineered hardwood floor, and I was researching information about the Do’s and Don’ts. Your article was chockfull of useful information about things for which I had questions. I’m saving this for future reference.