Engineered hardwood, unlike its classic counterpart which is made only of wood, has multiple layers. Although the surface of engineered hardwood is genuine hardwood, it should still be noted that the underlying layers are generally made with plywood or high density fiberboard. To prevent an engineered hardwood floor from being permanently stained or scuffed, you should therefore take the trouble to clean it regularly. You can start with a shovel and broom and then use the liquid cleaners recommended by the manufacturer.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: clean up dirt and debris
Step 1. Regularly sweep the floor with a broom
Small stones and bits of dirt can build up in your home on a daily basis and to get rid of them you can use a soft bristle broom to clean up any dirt present. You will also need to pay special attention to places that are more likely to accumulate stones or dirt, such as the entrance. Take the trouble to collect the dust and dirt in a shovel and throw it outside.
- If dust and pebbles are left on the engineered hardwood floor, they will be ground to the surface of the latter and may scratch or damage the top layer. Their presence can also scratch the plywood that is above the hardwood floor.
- If you want to keep your engineered hardwood in good condition, you need to clean it regularly. To maximize the durability of the floor, you will need to put in the effort of sweeping or vacuuming it every day.
Step 2. Gently vacuum the floor
If you decide not to use a broom or want to be sure you've removed all the dust from the hardwood, you can use a vacuum to clean the floor. Be sure to set the vacuum to “hard floor” mode, as this action will turn off the rotating bristle bar. If you forget and the latter is activated, then be aware that it can create scuffs and scratches on the surface of the plywood of your floor.
The damage could be irreversible if you scrape the engineered hardwood floor with a bristle bar
Step 3. Sponge your hardwood with a dry microfiber mop
Use a microfiber mop to clean the floor and make sure you've wiped off any dirt that has accumulated in your home. The head of a dry microfiber mop will be able to effectively rid any debris and dust on the floor, including any that your mop may have missed. In addition, you will not run the risk of damaging the floor with water. Consider mopping your hardwood floor at least once a week.
Make the program to mop your engineered hardwood using only a microfiber mop. This material will be less abrasive on the plywood and the top layer of your hardwood floor than the head of a regular mop and you won't need to use water
Step 4. Sponge your floor with a slightly damp mop
You may not have to or feel like using a microfiber mop. If this is the case, then you can opt for a line mop to clean your floor. Take the trouble to carefully wring out the water from your mop before placing it on the hardwood. Make sure your mop is slightly damp, as you don't need a lot of liquid to properly clean a hardwood floor. In case there is still excess water on the hardwood floor after you have finished mopping, consider cleaning it with a towel.
A slightly damp wire mop can also be used to clean up any light stains of liquid that have spilled on the floor
Step 5. Lay a carpet at the entrance to your house
You can save yourself a good amount of work sweeping and cleaning your hardwood floors if you protect the entrances to your home, especially at the front and back doors, by laying a carpet on them. The latter will collect as much dirt, dust and grime that would otherwise have accumulated on your hardwood floor.
- Make an effort to put a rug outside of each entrance, so visitors can wipe off any mud or dirt from their feet. Another mat placed after the door will allow visitors to once again wipe their feet, this time to remove dirt or finer dust.
- Make an effort to shake your rug outside every week to prevent any dust on it from getting through the rest of the house.
Part 2 of 3: use a liquid cleanser
Step 1. Purchase a liquid cleanser recommended by a manufacturer
Engineered hardwood floors should only be cleaned with a liquid cleaner made by the company that designed the floor. Each type of engineered hardwood requires the use of different cleaners and choosing the wrong brand or type of product could create significant damage to your material. If you are not sure which type of cleaner to use, it is best to contact the manufacturer by email or phone to have them recommend the correct product.
- You can purchase liquid cleaning products primarily designed for engineered hardwood floors at your local hardware store.
- In case you can't find the cleaning product you need in your local hardware store, you can take a look in the “floors” or “cleaning” sections or go to a larger store.
Step 2. Remove stains and spills with the liquid cleaner
If you find that part of the floor is particularly dirty or if it has been covered with liquid or is spotted, you can clean it using the liquid cleaner. Apply a small amount of this product directly to the hardwood surface and then clean with a clean cloth or sponge broom. After that, you can wipe down the hardwood surface until the stain has been removed, while adding more cleaner as needed.
- Avoid leaving excess liquid cleaner on the floor after removing a stain. At the same time, you should take the trouble to wipe it off with a clean tissue or paper towel. It is not necessary to rinse said product with water.
- To wipe away hard-to-reach stains or to clean small spaces that could not be treated with the mop, you may need to scrub by hand. Pour a small amount of liquid cleaner onto a clean cotton cloth and gently pat or wipe the spotted area of your floor.
Step 3. Avoid using certain cleaning products
You should avoid using certain cleaning products designed for tile or vinyl flooring. While cleaning products may look the same and even be stacked side by side on shelves at a hardware store, it is important that you keep in mind that these are not interchangeable. Liquids that clean vinyl or tile can permanently damage engineered hardwood.
Also, cleaning products intended for vinyl or tiles will not completely clean engineered hardwood floors. If you have concerns about alternative cleaning products, you will need to contact the floor manufacturer and ask for the liquid products that are suitable and that you can safely use on the floors they have designed
Part 3 of 3: Avoiding Floor Damage
Step 1. Immediately wipe off any substance that spills on the floor
Obviously accidents or drops can happen, but if you've spilled water or any other type of liquid on your engineered hardwood floor, you need to get down to cleaning that up right away. If you let said liquid sit on the material for an extended period of time, it could seep inside and damage the plywood or hardwood itself. It could also leave a permanent stain.
When cleaning up spills that are on the floor, you should make sure to mop up gently so that you can wipe them up. Avoid rubbing or applying strong pressure to clean the part. If you do, you risk warping the hardwood plywood or causing the liquid to pass through the interior of the wood and damage it
Step 2. Avoid using ammonia and vinegar
While these abrasive fluids will clean some surfaces, there is still a good chance that they will damage your engineered hardwood floor. Vinegar and ammonia could erode or damage the surface of the plywood that is above the top layer of hardwood.
Step 3. Avoid using a steam cleaner
You should refrain from using a steam cleaner on an engineered hardwood floor. Despite the fact that a steam cleaner can be a useful tool for cleaning a floor mat, it is not recommended to use it on engineered hardwood at all. In fact, it is possible for the steam to damage the surface of the wood by forcing water to seep through the top layer of the wood and into the plywood.
A steam cleaner can potentially cause more damage to hardwood than other cleaning techniques that use excess water (such as an over-wet mop). Since a steam cleaner will force moisture to seep into the wood, it could damage the bottom layers of the fiberboard or plywood
Step 4. Avoid using an abrasive cleaning brush
It is strongly recommended not to use abrasive and harsh cleaning products (such as a cleaning brush with wire bristles or steel wool) on a hardwood floor. There is actually a good chance that these products will cause scuffing or somehow damage the plywood that is on top of the hardwood.
Step 5. Take the trouble to immediately wipe off all liquid residue
Although engineered hardwood floors are more resistant to liquids than regular models, you still shouldn't let water or any liquid cleaner on your material. Pat the floor dry with a towel if excess liquid cleaner remains after you finish cleaning.