How to Clean & Maintain Engineered Wood Flooring

Engineered wood floors are increasingly becoming one of the most popular floor coverings as they combine the luxury of solid wood flooring with increased performance. A lot of homeowners value this flooring option because of its ease of installation, long durability, and, of course, the elegance and design it brings to a room.

However, there is no such thing as a stain-proof floor. Even this elegant option is also prone to stains and requires regular cleaning. Your brand-new engineered hardwood flooring will exhibit signs of wear and tear, such as pet hair, scratches, and filth. Fortunately, maintaining the appearance of your floors does not necessitate the use of a professional cleaning service.

Here we have put together some top tips and advice on cleaning and maintaining engineered wood flooring.

Sweep on a Regular Basis

Fortunately, the most common and easiest step in cleaning engineered hardwood floors is to become acquainted with your broom. Sweep the floor on a regular basis to keep loose dirt, dust, pet hair, and other debris at bay. A lightweight vacuum can also be used, but one with a rotating bristle bar should be avoided because it can damage your floors.

If your vacuum includes a beater bar, make sure it's set to bare floors or use a floor-brush attachment. The frequency with which you sweep or vacuum depends on how much traffic your floors receive. You may need to sweep more active areas like hallways or entryways every day or every other day. In areas with little foot activity, you may only need to clean once a week.

Mopping Engineered Wood Floors

It's also crucial to mop your floors on a regular basis. The frequency with which you do this is determined by the amount of activity on your floors. A mop should be used once a week in rooms with a lot of foot traffic, and once a month in less-frequent areas. It's also time to bring out the mop if your engineered hardwood floor starts to look dull.

Keep your mop or towel slightly damp rather than wet at all times. Even though engineered hardwood flooring is more water resistant than solid hardwood, moisture should not be allowed to permeate into the wood. Instead of creating standing water, use only enough so that it evaporates within a few minutes. Check your floors after mopping and dry any lingering wetness.

Deep Clean Occasionally

Dirt and grime can accumulate over time, even with a regular cleaning routine. With engineered hardwood floors, there are a few deep cleaning products and strategies to employ on occasion. Make sure the cleaning chemical you're using is made for engineered hardwood floors. Avoid using cleaners that include harsh chemicals, as they might harm your flooring' finish.

Use a rag, mop, or sponge to apply the cleaning agent. It's vital to keep your mop or cloth damp but not wet, just like with ordinary mopping. Rinse your floors with water after applying your cleaning product, then wipe them down with a clean, dry cloth to remove any excess moisture.

How to Treat Scratches

You must protect your flooring against dents and scratches in addition to maintaining a regular cleaning schedule. While there are no scratch-proof hardwood floors, there are several strategies and solutions you may use to reduce the amount of damage. If your hardwood floors have scratches, there are a few things you can do to make the damage less noticeable and less likely to cause problems in the future.

You can use a scratch concealer to hide the visible white lines left by scratches. This also serves to seal the area, preventing further scratching and moisture from penetrating the wood. We have written a full guide on how to restore engineered wood planks here.

Additional Hints and Tips

With engineered hardwood floors, dirt, scratches, and other minor damage are unavoidable. However, no matter how many pets, children, or unforeseen occurrences your floors face, there are a few methods and ideas that can help you avoid potential damage.

Sand And Gravel Should Be Kept Outside - The first thing you should do for your engineered wood floor is invest in a decent doormat to clean and dry your shoes before entering. Both inside and outside the door, ideally.

Clean Spills Immediately - Engineered hardwood flooring can be damaged by puddles of water or liquid, so any spills must be cleaned up right away. To clear a puddle or spill, use a dry mop rather than a wet or steam mop, as these can damage a finish over time.

Keep An Eye Out For Light-Colored Floors - Because light wood floors are more prone to wear, you'll need to clean them more frequently. However, strong stain removers and vigorous cleaning might cause discoloration. Pay close attention to your cleaning techniques and stay away from bleach.

Pay Attention To Your Shoes - When walking across engineered hardwood floors, it's critical to be aware of the shoes you're wearing. High-heeled shoes, as well as any sports shoes with spikes, might harm the top layer of engineered hardwood.

Furniture Should Be Protected With Protection Pads - Place soft padding on the bottoms of table and chair legs and prevent it from falling off. Metal protectors should not be used since they can wear patches and scrape the floor.

Take Humidity And Heat Into Consideration - It's critical to understand how humidity affects wood floors. Engineered wood flooring must be adjusted and be installed in a stable setting because it is a natural product. The humidity level should always be between 40 and 65 percent relative humidity (RH). The installation space should also be heated, ideally between 16 and 28 degrees Celsius. This is a fairly broad range, and most residences and businesses will fall inside it.

Refinishing - One of the main advantages of engineered wood flooring is the ability to sand and refinish the planks.

Oiled finished engineered wood will require a little more attention. Make sure to use a cleaner made specifically for oiled wood floors. The oil can be removed with a variety of wood floor cleaners and home cleaners.

A replenishing oil should be used on a regular basis to feed new oil into the surface, ensuring that it remains protected. Depending on how often you use it, this could be every 6 to 24 months. It's simple to accomplish and ensures that your oiled wood flooring is protected and looks great. Read our full guide on how to oil a wood floor if you require further help.