Sealed hardwood floors can withstand the moisture and heat from a steam mop, and they clean really nicely with a streak-free finish. However, avoid using a steam mop on unsealed hardwoods, as they're more vulnerable and easily damaged by excessive moisture.
Although it may be tempting to deep clean your hardwood floors with a steam mop, don't. “Drastic temperature changes and moisture may warp the wood,” says Steve Stocki, manager of marketing and merchandising at Lumber Liquidators.
The best method for cleaning hardwood flooring is to regularly sweep or vacuum to remove dust and debris, followed by damp mopping with a hardwood floor cleaner or a mixture of water and mild detergent. Avoid using excess water and harsh chemicals, and promptly wipe up any spills to prevent damage to the wood.
Hardwood floors that are not sealed or improperly sealed are highly susceptible to moisture damage. Steam is likely to seep into the interior of the wood, causing the floor to swell, warp, and even cause long-term damage. For this type of floor, we recommend using dry or wet mop cleaning method.
Surface Type: Steam mops are generally safe and effective on hard surfaces like tile, laminate, and sealed hardwood. However, they may not be suitable for unsealed wood floors or certain types of vinyl.
The steam's heat penetrates even the toughest grime, rejuvenating floors by lifting and removing dirt that traditional mops may leave behind. This makes the steam mop a superior choice for thorough cleaning, especially on surfaces that are often challenging to maintain, like textured tiles or deep grout lines.
General Care Tips with Bona
Avoid Excess Moisture: Never use a steam mop or wet-mop.
The short answer: Technically, yes. Steam can kill pathogens, including viruses.
So, where does the dirt go when you steam clean? Actually, it doesn't go anywhere. Instead, the heat and vapour of steam cleaning ensure that all the unwanted substances or stains are fully broken down and easy to get rid of.
The sealing process prevents moisture from sinking into the floor. Try dropping a small amount of water onto the floor and see what happens. If the droplets bead up, that means your floor is sealed. If they spread out or absorb into the wood, then it isn't.
With the vast array of cleaners available today, consumers need to be aware of how to properly use their products to avoid health hazards and damaging surfaces. Murphy® Oil Soap is one natural cleaner that's effective on hardwood floors and more when used as instructed.
You can use a hardwood floor cleaner, such as Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner or Bruce Hardwood and Laminate Floor Cleaner. Home Depot carries both products in 32-ounce spray bottles — $7.97 for Bona's product and $4.48 for Bruce's. The spray products deliver a mist that you can wipe away with a mop while you are standing.
The ideal mixture typically involves a mild solution of diluted vinegar with just a few drops of Dawn. This blend ensures that the cleaning power is strong enough to clean the floors without leaving any harmful residues or damaging the wood.
For a cleaning solution, you can mix a few drops of dish soap or castile soap with warm water in a bucket. Avoid using harsh detergents that will damage the floor's wood and dull its finish. You should also not use products like vinyl floor cleaner or tile cleaner.
Cork Tiles and Unsealed or Waxed Timber: Steam mops can damage these surfaces. Timber and Laminate Flooring: Manufacturers often warn that steam can seep between boards, potentially causing expansion and damage over time, including delamination and buckling.
Using Vinegar Steam on Floors
Steam mop your floors with the vinegar solution to remove dirt, grime, and bacteria without the need for harsh chemicals. Whether you have hardwood, tile, or laminate flooring, vinegar steam provides a safe and effective cleaning solution that won't damage surfaces.
After steam cleaning, the surface can be rubbed dry using a cloth. Note for silicone grouting: apply steam only briefly to avoid damaging the material.
You should use a steam mop after you've swept or vacuumed the floor, but it typically replaces the need for a traditional wet mop. Steam mops use heat and steam to sanitize and clean the floors, which eliminates the need for a separate wet mopping session.
Steaming floors help you tackle dirt, grime, and stains without the use of cleaning solutions, which can be a major bonus. In fact, it's generally considered that they offer a better and more effective clean than mopping, as the heat and steam generated from this appliance can also kill bacteria in the process.
Sealed hardwood floors can withstand the moisture and heat from a steam mop, and they clean really nicely with a streak-free finish. However, avoid using a steam mop on unsealed hardwoods, as they're more vulnerable and easily damaged by excessive moisture.
The verdict
They'll likely leave less water behind, leaving a clean and shiny, streak-free floor, but they don't have any magic bacteria-busting powers over a regular mop and bucket.
Using any type of cleaning solution, perfumed oils or other chemical cleaner with your steam mop is not recommended.
How to Clean Old Wood Floors. Sweep or vacuum with a soft-bristle attachment to remove loose debris, then use a pH-neutral cleaner with a well-wrung-out mop or cloth to gently clean the surface, avoiding excess moisture. This helps protect the wood from damage while maintaining its finish.
There is no need to rinse after. It really helps maintain the floors.