How to Best Clean Engineered Wood Floors

Wood flooring can add warmth and style to any room in your home. Hardwoods and pine woods can be difficult to maintain and care for, and often expensive to boot. Engineered flooring is fairly inexpensive and comes in a wide variety of hues, patterns and finishes.

From the worn look of old weathered grey planks to the deep, rich reds of cherry wood with a high shine, there are the easiest types of engineered wood that you can install and still achieve that real wood look.

Cleaning engineered hardwood floors on a regular basis, and with the correct materials and solutions, will keep them in excellent condition for years to come.

Engineered wood is actually created from real wood. Thin layers of processed wood are glued together horizontally to stabilize the plank.

Because it includes actual wood, engineered faux wood laminate can be more expensive. Engineered wood is one of the more durable types of faux wood flooring and has a relatively hard-wearing layer of acrylic top coat. Although highly durable, it needs care to keep its beauty.

A soft mop or duster will keep the floors maintained on a daily basis. Keeping the floors clean of daily detritus can save you labor-intensive cleaning. Without daily or weekly cleaning, the engineered wood floors can become clogged with daily grime over time.

A quick sweep around the exposed floors that aren't covered by rugs or furniture can keep debris and dust from collecting in the crevices of the boards. When bits of debris and dust are allowed to gather, it can create scratches or clump between the boards. This can lead to dull engineered hardwood floors.

Vacuuming the floors with the machine set on a low setting once a week or month will also keep the floors in good condition. If you have pets or children, then you may want to consider vacuuming more often to keep hair and dander from creating a grimy buildup.

The occasional mop or deep cleaning doesn't hurt the engineered wood, and can pick up allergens and scuff marks that have settled into the surface of the flooring. Gather together supplies before you begin to save time, including a lightweight vacuum, soft-bristled broom, dustpan, damp hardwood mop, towel, and cleaner approved for engineered wood floors.

Choose a commercial cleaner that has been approved for engineered flooring. The manufacturer will also have suggestions for approved engineered wood floors.

Although they are quite durable, engineered wood floors can get stripped and lose their protective top layer if the wrong type of cleaner is used. These include vinegar and vinegar-based cleaners, hardwood floor cleaners, floor wax, and ammonia.

The main thing to remember when cleaning engineered hardwood floors is that although the boards can handle moisture, the wood doesn't like to have a lot of liquid sitting on the surface for too long. When using a wet mop, go over the areas that you have just cleaned with a dry towel to ensure you've removed any pools or droplets of water that can damage the boards.

Use approved cleaning products for engineered wood floors only a few times a year, if needed. The daily and monthly cleaning should be enough to keep them in good shape. For high-traffic areas, spot clean with the commercial cleaner, making sure to remove residue thoroughly.