How to properly clean parquet?

Parquet is definitely one of the most popular and beautiful floor coverings. But beauty has to be paid for, and in this case we are talking about cleaning parquet. This is not the easiest task, which is associated with a lot of non-obvious nuances and complexities. Therefore, today we will talk about how to wash the parquet without streaks at home, how to do it correctly and in general how often you can wash the floor, so that the parquet board did not deteriorate and retained its pristine appearance longer.

If you have a parquet floor at home, the following information is for you!

HOW TO CLEAN PARQUET: THE BASIC WAY

Wash and clean your parquet floor no more than 2-3 times a year, using warm or cool water and special detergents for parquet. It is not allowed to use aggressive and caustic compositions, as well as hot water – because of them the parquet can be hopelessly spoiled.Use a soft cloth for washing – felt or microfiber.

Proceed as follows:

• Wet the cloth in a solution of detergent and water. Then wring it out so that the cloth is damp but not wet.
• Wipe the cloth gently and without much physical force so that the parquet flooring is not damaged. Avoid getting a lot of moisture into the joints between the boards so that the floor does not warp.
• After washing your parquet floor, it is a good idea to let it dry completely and do not stress the floor during this time. Do not walk on the wet surface, do not carry heavy furniture, etc.
• After you have cleaned the floor and dried the parquet, it can be polished with special products.

This is optional, but polishing will make the floorboard look more attractive and will also give it extra protection. 

HOW TO PROPERLY CLEAN AND CLEAN PARQUET AT HOME

Suppose that for some reason you do not have the opportunity to buy special means to clean and wash the parquet, and you need to clean it as soon as possible.

What is the best thing to do in such a case and how to clean the parquet with improvised means? 

In fact, this is also quite realistic, if you approach the question competently. And we are ready to share some useful tips on how best to clean the parquet in such a situation:

• To clean parquet, you can prepare the following solution: 1 tablespoon of vinegar (or citric acid) per 2 liters of water. Thoroughly mix the composition, moisten a soft cloth, wring it out and start cleaning. This is an uncomplicated and fairly quick way to clean the parquet without special means and relatively quickly. After washing, do not forget to wipe the floor with a dry cloth and let it finally dry. And do not forget about how often you can wash the parquet. Such procedures should not be carried out on a regular basis, so as not to spoil the floor.
• To remove stains from the parquet, you can use the following means: hydrogen peroxide, toothpaste, glycerin, alcohol or acetone. But use them with extreme caution! Parquet flooring is very sensitive to any aggressive compositions, it can fade and damage under their influence. If you are not sure that your chosen product is safe for parquet, it is better to first try it in an inconspicuous place. Or do not risk and use the services of professionals. But we will come back to this question.
• To clean the parquet and restore the shine, you can use olive or linseed oil, beeswax or wood polish. The main rule is that these products should be applied after the hardwood flooring has been washed and dried. Apply the polish evenly in a thin layer, and then let the composition finally dry. And only then you can polish the floor with a soft cloth or a special brush.

Technically, cleaning parquet is not very difficult. But it is extremely important to act carefully and take your time. Otherwise, there is a risk of making serious mistakes, because of which the parquet floor can be hopelessly ruined. And repair and restoration can be really expensive. 

COMMON MISTAKES WHEN CLEANING PARQUET FLOORING

In an effort to clean the floor as soon as possible, many people make serious mistakes that cause the floor to suffer greatly. And often these mistakes involve using inappropriate products and tools. For example:

• Hot water. If you try to wash parquet with hot water, and even more so with boiling water, it will surely cause cracks and peeling of the protective layer. It is better to use slightly warm water and in a very small amount, wringing the cloth before wiping the parquet. Washing parquet flooring with a wet rather than damp cloth is strongly discouraged.
• Washing vacuum cleaners and steam cleaners. They may seem like convenient and effective tools to clean your parquet, but in practice, they will ruin your parquet flooring. If too much moisture gets into the gaps between the boards, it will lead to their deformation, swelling and even rotting. Therefore, it is better to refuse such tools.

Finally, we want to say that if you do not know how to properly clean the parquet and fear that the parquet will be spoiled, the most sensible solution in this situation is to contact our cleaning company. We will gladly take on even the most difficult tasks and bring back the former appearance of your home. Our cleaners know exactly how to clean parquet, what means and tools should be used, as well as how not to make mistakes in the work.

Remember that parquet is not a cheap flooring. And it needs to be cleaned properly!