If you have hardwood floors, you probably have a bit of a love/hate relationship with them.
They are gorgeous and usually last a long time.
However, sometimes they’re difficult to clean.
Depending on the manufacturer, your hardwood floor may have specific cleaning requirements.
The number one mistake you might be making with your hardwood floors?
Cleaning your hardwood with steam.
The first time you use steam to clean the floors, it might look fine.
But with repeated steam cleans, you’ll start to see potentially permanent consequences."
Consumer Reportswarned that water and high temperatures from the steam could cause your floors to warp.
The words of warning apply to traditional hardwood, bamboo, and engineered flooring surfaces.
Even something as seemingly minor as too much water could cause problems (viaCleaning Exec).
Any of these methods could damage your floor’s finish.
Even something as simple as the wrong mop may leave scratches.
Val Oliveira recommended that you stop wearingoutside shoesindoors.
She also gave some tips for you to clean your hardwood successfully.
Use a small amount of water and cleaner with a soft mop.
If dirt remains, make a second pass after some of the water dries.
With attentive care, hardwood floors can be a long-lasting investment for your home that looks amazing for years.
