Hardwood floors are classic materials that have lasted for centuries, transcending styles of different centuries. There are various types of wood flooring, each with its own set of characteristics.
Hardwood floors are ideal because they complement any style of décor, whether traditional, modern, or country. However, most homeowners do grapple with the question of how to vacuum hardwood floors without scratching them.
If the answer to this question has eluded you, you have come to the right place. The article provides a step-by-step guide on how to vacuum hardwood floors without scratching them.
Continue perusing the article to have a deeper insight and be more informed.
In this post we will cover:
- What are hardwood floors?
- Can Hardwood Floors be Vacuumed?
- How to Vacuum Hardwood Floors without Scratching
- Tips for vacuuming hardwood floors
- Finding the best vacuum for hardwood flooring
- What are the benefits of hardwood flooring?
What are hardwood floors?
Wood flooring is eco-friendly, durable, naturally renewable, and it is the most sustainable covering. Hardwood is made from deciduous trees like oak. While most floor coverings are designed to be disposable, a solid wood floor can last for centuries.
There are several wood flooring options to choose from, such as solid wood, reclaimed wood, engineered wood, and alternative wood material. Solid wood is the original wood flooring option, and as the name implies, it is a solid piece of wood in its entirety.
Engineered wood is a type of hardwood floor whose top surface is covered by hardwood. That means it has a real wood wear layer. The layer can be plywood all the way through or the bottom side can include a composite product.
Reclaimed wood is anything that has been used more than once. Reclaimed antique wood is sourced from vintage structures that are at least 100 to 200 years old. However, they are more expensive than other wood floorings.
There are other alternative materials that are not wood but resemble real wood. These include laminate and luxury vinyl tile (LVT). The laminate is comprised of melanin resin and compressed layers of fiberboard. It is covered with an extremely durable protective layer.
LVT, on the other hand, is made of synthetic material engineered to resemble wood, and it is also quite durable. The biggest selling point for LTV and laminate is that they are less expensive than real wood.
Can Hardwood Floors be Vacuumed?
Many people have little understanding of what to do when it comes to maintaining hardwood floor surfaces. Vacuuming is one of the ways of maintaining your hardwood floors and it is great if it is done correctly.
Cleaning your hardwood floors with a vacuum is an easy way of cleaning the floors in a fast and efficient way. Therefore, vacuuming your hardwood floors is okay.
However, hardwood floors get easily scratched and it is essential that you use a vacuum compatible with your hardwood floors.
Avoid vacuums with plastic wheels since they may damage the floor as they roll over it. Also, steer clear of those with thick bristles, as they are harsh on hardwood and can scratch it. Instead, look for a unit with padded rubber wheels and softer bristles that are gentle on wood flooring.
A vacuum cleaner is a powerful tool that assists you in eliminating dirt, debris, and dirt from tricky crevices on the hardwood floor. Thanks to the vacuum’s suction strength, it can remove superficial cracks from your hardwood floor.
The vacuum cleaner straight away sucks up dirt and debris instead of spreading particles around that may scratch your hardwood floors. Consider the quality of your vacuum since it makes a difference when you use a high-quality vacuum on your hardwood floors.
The best choice is a canister vacuum cleaner that has a long oval brush attached to it. The type of unit will assist you in taking full control and even reaching hard corners. It is gentler on hardwood floors than the simple upright vacuum cleaner models.
However, if you only have access to an upright model ensure that you turn off the rotating brush to prevent scratching on your hardwood floors. Be mindful of the force that is applied while vacuuming the floor.
How to Vacuum Hardwood Floors without Scratching: A Step by Step Guide
Most homeowners with hardwood floors in their homes usually have lots of questions about how to vacuum the floors. However, vacuuming hardwood floors is not a difficult task and this is how to do it:
Step 1: There are some precautions that need to be taken before you start vacuuming, and that includes finding help to move furniture away from the cleaning path to prevent scratching the floor by dragging it by yourself. Secondly, remove your shoes if they can cause scratching.
Step 2: use a canister vacuum because it works best on hardwood floors and it also helps you to access places that are difficult to reach while maintaining its suction power. If you have an upright model, switch off the beater bar to prevent scratching.
Step 3: when you begin cleaning, use smooth strokes over the areas you are vacuuming. Let the power of the vacuum do the work and avoid applying excessive force to the vacuum nozzle or wand because it can cause scratching on your floor.
Step 4: pass the vacuum cleaner over the hardwood floor a few times and for dirtier areas increase the power. Ensure that you have a microfiber cloth and recommended cleaning nearby. These are for cleaning pieces of debris and stains that cannot be dislodged by the vacuum.
Step 5: for corners and tight spaces, change the nozzle of the vacuum cleaner so that it can access the areas better for cleaning. If you use a large nozzle for corners, you may cause some scratches or scuffs on the hardwood floors.
Step 6: if you have a large house, you can establish a twice-a-week vacuuming routine so that you do not get tired when vacuuming. You can work on one area one day and the second the next.
These precautions will enable you to vacuum your hardwood floors without scratching.
Tips for vacuuming hardwood floors and keeping them clean and damage-free
1. Stop using your dustpan and broom for regular hardwood floor cleaning and evolve beyond them. Vacuuming is a better way to go because when you sweep, it is easy to miss spots.
Also, dust and dirt will be kicked in the air and dirt will be pushed in areas that are difficult to reach. When you mop, the dust turns into mucky grime.
Modern vacuums are capable of getting dust and dirt out of difficult-to-reach places with a crevice tool and are excellent at reducing airborne dirt using HEPA filters or micro allergen exhaust ones.
2. Avoid using a beater bar or brush roll because it is designed to dig into pile carpeting and rugs to remove embedded dirt. It is a roll of nylon bristles that rotate fast, and while it is great for carpet cleaning, it can destroy your hardwood floor finish.
There are many vacuum cleaner models with attachments for cleaning hardwood floors, but a canister vacuum cleaner is the best for cleaning hardwood floors because it comes with tools that are designed to specifically clean hardwood floors.
3. Ensure that the vacuum you are using has strong suction power since not all vacuums have the same motor. A higher suction vacuum means that more dust will be attracted from every nook and cranny as you navigate your home.
4. Use caution when transitioning from a rug or carpet to hardwood floors. Make sure to switch your vacuum setting when transitioning. Some models have the option of turning off the beater bar and have a toggle that raises the beater bar to avoid floor damage.
5. Occasionally mop your hardwood floors once every few weeks to maintain their luster. A good mopping will restore the original luster and help in repairing the floor’s finish.
6. Remove debris regularly as soon as you notice them because small dust specks can scratch the surface of your hardwood floor and make it look dull. Use a vacuum or a mop to remove them.
7. Dab spills immediately they occur even though hardwood floors may look water-resistant to spills. That is because some surfaces eat away at the top coating of the hardwood floor’s polish. These include pet urine, mustard, and milk.
Conclusion
Hardwood floors are beautiful and classic, but the best way to keep them in good condition is by vacuuming them the right way. Most people fear that vacuuming hardwood floors will damage the flooring, but this is not the case.
It is true that hardwood floors can be vacuumed, contrary to the common belief held by many that the type of flooring cannot be vacuumed. However, you need the right vacuum models that will not scratch the flooring and instructions on how to vacuum the floors.
Vacuuming hardwood floors is not an uphill task. Just consult the step by step guide that we have provided above on how to vacuum hardwood floors properly.
FAQs
What are the tips for finding the best vacuum for hardwood flooring?
Avoid rolling brushes: the brushes are designed to lift dirt, debris, and hair deeply embedded in carpets. For hardwood floors, there is no embedded dirt and the brushes will scratch the wood.
If you cannot find a unit without the brushes, choose one with the option of switching the brushes off.
Powerful suction: A vacuum cleaner with good suction is a powerful cleaning tool. It ensures that no dirt, debris, or dust is left behind when cleaning.
Compact and lightweight: a lightweight vacuum model is easy to carry around and glide across the hardwood floor effortlessly. Less pressure application to the floor is better for your flooring.
Rubber wheels and pudding: extra padding and rubber wheels help in preventing scratches and other damage. Always check the wheels of your vacuum to remove any dirt before you begin vacuuming.
What are the benefits of hardwood flooring?
Hardwood floors improve the appearance of your house, adding a touch of elegance and warmth to your home. Some even believe that the floors make a space look bigger than it actually is and more inviting.
The floors are low maintenance and can be cleaned easily. The flooring can be swept, vacuumed, or steam cleaned to remove any debris or dirt that has accumulated on it. The floors do not harbor any environmental hazards such as pet dander or dust mites.
The floors are durable and strong. Even though the wood flooring may get dented and scratched, that cannot happen easily. If you take proper care of it, the floor can last for decades.
The floors provide your home with better air quality since they do not trap pet dander, dust, pollen, or other common allergies. That means the floors significantly improve your indoor air quality.
The floors are compatible with all décor themes since they are versatile and can be adapted to any design theme. Furthermore, the color of the wood flooring does not fade; it remains intact with proper care.
Hardwood flooring can be repeatedly refinished, lasting for decades even as tastes and styles change. The planks of the floors are milled to create a uniform and stable fit.
What are the common misconceptions about vacuuming hardwood floors?
Many people have various reasons for not vacuuming their hardwood floors for fear of the vacuum leaving scratches on the wood flooring. Therefore, some choose to sweep the floor for various reasons which include the following:
The vacuum has hard bristles which will leave scratches all over the wood flooring.
Brooms do not make any noises while being used and therefore can clean floors day or night without any disturbances.
Brooms do not require belts or bags, and that makes them less cumbersome.
Brooms do not use electricity and not much is required when it comes to maintenance.
Brooms are easy to store since they do not take up much space.
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