Cleaning hardwood floors

[robert421]

Operating a small hosuecleaning business and my biggest concern is hardwood floors.... I've heard a lot about differant takes on how to safely take care of them without cousing damage. So what's the real story? Any recomendations, maybe articles/books to read. How do you safely clean hardwood floors? Do you have to clean differant hardwood floors using differant procedures?

[Richard Marks]

We have softwood floors (pine). We just vaccumn, and damp mop them.

A good story about how to get your wife to not allow you to clean house. When I was supposed to clean the floors I vaccumned and then I came up with this great idea. I took some pledge and sprayed it on the floor then I took a cloth and attached it to a swifer and wiped the pledge. WHAT A SHINE! It was great. Then my wife came home from work. I was soooo proud.

You probably see where this is going but I will tell you anyway. My wife took on step on the bare floor and swoooosh right on her kiester!

No I am no longer allowed to clean the floors.

[MaxusPaldane]

Haha, nice one Richard.

I happen to like the swiffer. Even without the slipshine its a quick, easy way to clean hardwoods. I think you're generally supposed to avoid using any cleaning agents on the floors, but I could be wrong. It probably depends what you're trying to clean. If its dusting, any old dust mop would do.

[robert421]

hmmm... see I've hear it's water you'er to avoid vs. cleaning agents. As common knowledge you would think it would be, it's really dificult to find any information on the subject.

[deecaz]

Been there, done that! I like to use a little Murphys Oil soap mixed into a spay bottle with water. Spray a section and immediately follow it up with a dry (mop, sponge mop, or, I like the flat headed swivel floor cleaners that have removable pads that can be cleaned after each wash. Fast, easy, and safe for the floors. Happy cleaning!