Can You Steam Prefinished Hardwood Floors

The effect of steam on wood floors.

Can you steam prefinished hardwood floors. To mop your floors use a slightly damp dry mop or yarn mop with the flooring manufacturer s recommended liquid cleaner. Steam cleaners put heat and excessive water on your floor which can lead to cupping and long term damage. Traditionally hardwood flooring was always installed as unfinished planks that were then stained and finished with a protective surface layer right on the worksite. You can also use a spray and mop product or disposable wet pads that are safe for hardwood floors.

This vapor can get down into cracks and crevices to kill germs and bacteria but when used on a hardwood floor the moisture can stay down in the cracks and crevices leading to problems in the future. Steam can dull the finish and damage the wood. They are as follows. A steam cleaner by its very nature uses water heated to a very hot vapor to clean and disinfect the surface of a floor.

But since the introduction of prefinished solid hardwood during the 1940s this newer form of flooring has become increasingly popular and today you may find that it s easier to find than traditional unfinished hardwood planks. There are really only a few acceptable and very safe ways of cleaning your hardwood floors without damaging them. However one more characteristic of prefinished flooring can be a deal breaker and that s the beveled edges. While researching the use of steam mops on hardwood floors i came across article after article that cautioned against using a steam mop on hardwood floors.

Unless you use a steam mop designed for cleaning hardwoods steam cleaning is not advised for hardwood floors. If you prefer you can vacuum your floors on the hard wood setting. Avoid using water and vinegar soap based cleaners wax or steam cleaners on your hardwood floor. You can sweep floors as often as you like but just.

Properly cleaning hardwood floors without damaging it. Over time vinegar and water will dull the floor s finish while soap or wax will leave a residue. Prefinished flooring often costs more than unfinished flooring about 2 per square foot more for the same wood species but you generally save that by not having to sand and finish the floor during installation. One of the advantages of prefinished hardwood flooring is that the factory applied finish is baked on making it more durable and longer lasting than finishes.