How to Clean Hardwood Floors Without Damaging Them
Wooden floors look beautiful, but the wrong cleaner or too much water can ruin them. Here's how to clean them safely.
TidyGo team4 min read
Wooden floors are one of the nicest things in a London flat or Victorian house, but they're easy to damage. Too much water, the wrong cleaner or a steam mop can leave them dull, swollen or stained. Here's how to clean them the right way.
First, check what kind of floor you have
How you clean depends on the finish on top of the wood:
- Sealed or lacquered (most modern floors): a clear, shiny or satin coat on top. Easiest to clean.
- Oiled: a natural, matt look. The oil soaks into the wood. Needs gentler cleaners and re-oiling now and then.
- Waxed: older floors. Water can leave white marks.
A quick test: put a drop of water on the floor in a hidden spot. If it stays as a bead, the floor is sealed. If it soaks in or darkens the wood, it's oiled, waxed or worn, so use very little water.
Laminate and vinyl often look like wood but aren't. They're more water-resistant, but the same gentle rules still work. Which? explains the different types of wood flooring.
Step 1: Remove dust and grit first
Grit is wood's biggest enemy. It acts like sandpaper under your feet and scratches the finish.
- Vacuum on the hard floor setting, or with the brush roll switched off.
- Or use a soft broom or a microfibre dust mop.
- Go along the boards, not across them, to get dirt out of the gaps.
Step 2: Mop with a damp (not wet) mop
- Use a pH-neutral wood floor cleaner, mixed as the label says. A drop of washing-up liquid in a bucket of warm water also works on sealed floors.
- Dip a microfibre mop and wring it out until it's only damp.
- Mop along the boards, a small area at a time.
- Dry any wet patches straight away. Water should never sit on wood.
For oiled floors, use a cleaner made for oiled wood. Normal cleaners can strip the oil.
What NOT to use on hardwood floors
- Steam mops. Most wood floor makers say no, as heat and steam can get into the joints and make boards swell.
- Soaking wet mops or buckets of water.
- Bleach, ammonia or strong vinegar. They can dull or damage the finish.
- Scouring pads or abrasive creams.
- Furniture polish or wax on a lacquered floor. It makes it slippery and leaves a sticky build-up.
Spills, scuffs and marks
- Spills: wipe them up at once with a dry or damp cloth.
- Scuffs from shoes: rub gently with a soft, dry cloth or a clean tennis ball.
- Sticky marks: a cloth dampened with warm, soapy water, then dry.
- Deep scratches: a wood repair pen or touch-up kit in a matching colour. For big damage, ask a flooring specialist.
How to protect wooden floors
- Put felt pads under chair and table legs.
- Use doormats inside and outside every entrance, and take shoes off at the door.
- Use rugs in busy areas and under desk chairs.
- Keep pets' claws trimmed.
- Close blinds in strong sun. Sunlight can fade wood over time.
How often should you clean hardwood floors?
| Job | How often |
|---|---|
| Vacuum or dust mop | 1–2 times a week (daily in hallways and kitchens) |
| Damp mop | Every 1–2 weeks |
| Re-oil an oiled floor | Every 6–12 months, or as the maker says |
| Professional refinish | Every few years, when it looks worn |
Leave the floors to us
A TidyGo normal clean includes vacuuming and mopping all floors, from £18 an hour per cleaner. Just tell your cleaner what floors you have when you book, so they use the right products. For a regular clean every week or two, a cleaning plan saves you money.
Planning your cleaning? See how often to clean each part of your home.
