Engineered hardwood floors add a classic touch of warmth and style to any home. They look great and are more stable than solid wood, which is why many people choose them. Engineered hardwood floors, on the other hand, need a special cleaning method to keep their beauty and strength, unlike solid wood floors. If you don’t clean your things right, they can get dull, scratched, or even damaged beyond repair.
You’ve come to the right spot if you want to know how to clean engineered hardwood floors safely and well. This complete guide will show you the best ways to clean engineered wood floors without hurting them, so they look great for years to come.
Understanding Engineered Hardwood: Why It’s Different
Before you learn how to clean engineered hardwood, you need to know what makes it different. Engineered hardwood is made up of several layers, while solid hardwood is a single piece of wood. The “wear layer” is usually a thin coating of actual hardwood veneer on top of a core made of plywood or high-density fiberboard (HDF).
Engineered wood is very stable and resistant to changes in moisture because of the way it is made in layers. However, this also means that it needs to be cleaned in a certain way. Even while the wear layer is strong, it is thinner than solid wood and can be more easily damaged by abrasive cleaners, too much dampness, and harsh chemicals. If you use the improper items or too much water, it can go into the core layers and cause swelling, delamination, or damage to the finish. This is why cleaning engineered hardwood floors requires special care.
Essential Tools and Products for Safe Cleaning
You’ll need the correct tools and materials to clean your engineered hardwood floors without damaging them. Using them will make the process safer and faster.
- Dust Mop or Soft-Bristled Broom: For daily or regular dry cleaning, you need a good dust mop with a microfiber head or a soft-bristled broom to take up loose dirt, dust, and pet hair. Don’t use brooms with stiff or synthetic bristles because they could harm the polish.
- Vacuum Cleaner (with Hard Floor Attachment): A vacuum cleaner with a hard floor attachment is best for deeper dry cleaning because the brushes won’t harm the floor. Do not use a vacuum with a beater bar or rotating brush on engineered hardwood since it can easily scratch and dull the finish.
- Microfiber Mop: A microfiber mop is better for cleaning wet areas since it picks up dirt with less moisture and lets you manage how much liquid you put on the floor.
- Engineered Hardwood Floor Cleaner (pH-Neutral): You need to use a cleaning solution that is made just for engineered hardwood. These cleaners are usually water-based and have a pH level that doesn’t leave behind any residue, streaks, or damage to the finish.
- Why pH-neutral is critical: Harsh chemicals, acidic solutions (like undiluted vinegar), or alkaline cleaners (like ammonia-based products) can damage the finish, etch the wood, and even weaken the wear layer. Before using a product, always check the label to be sure it’s safe for engineered hardwood.
- Spray Bottle: A clean spray bottle is great for putting engineered hardwood cleaning right on your microfiber mop pad. This keeps the floor from being too wet.
- Clean Microfiber Cloths: Keep a few clean, dry microfiber cloths on available to mop up spills and dry off areas that might get too wet soon.
What to AVOID at all costs:
- Steam Mops: The steam and high heat can get through the wear layer and cause your engineered wood floors to distort, bubble, and peel.
- Excessive Water: Never let water pool on your engineered hardwood flooring. You only need a mop that is a little damp.
- Oil-Based Soaps or Cleaners: Oil-based soaps and cleaners can create a greasy film that attracts dirt and dulls the finish over time.
- Abrasive Cleaners: Powders, scouring pads, or sponges with rough edges will harm the thin wear layer.
- Ammonia-Based Cleaners: Ammonia-based cleaners are too harsh for engineered hardwood and can remove the finish.
- Wax Polishes (Unless Specified): Most engineered hardwoods come with a factory finish that lasts and doesn’t need waxing. Using wax can make things sticky and impair the sheen.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Clean Engineered Hardwood Floors
Now that you have your tools set, let’s go through the steps to clean engineered hardwood floors one by one to make sure they look perfect and aren’t damaged.
Step 1: Prepare the Floor (Dust & Debris Removal)
This is the most important thing to do every day and every week. To keep your beautiful flooring from getting scratched, you need to get rid of rough things like dirt, grit, and sand.
- Daily/Every Other Day Dust Mopping/Sweeping: Sweep up loose dirt, dust, and pet hair with your dust mop or broom with soft bristles. Check corners and beneath furniture for dirt that likes to build up.
- Weekly Vacuuming: To get rid of all the dust and microscopic particles that are stuck, move gently and carefully. Don’t forget: no beater bar!
Step 2: Tackle Spills and Spots Immediately
Quick action is important to stop stains or damage, whether it’s a spilled drink or a muddy footprint.
- Blot, Don’t Wipe: If you spill something, don’t wipe it up right away. Instead, blot the area with a clean, dry microfiber cloth. Wiping can move the liquid around and push it into the wood.
- For Sticky Spots or Minor Stains: To wipe up sticky spots or minor stains, lightly dampen a clean microfiber cloth with plain water or a very small amount of the engineered hardwood floor cleaner you use. Wipe the place gently till it goes away. Don’t scrape too hard. Use another clean, dry cloth right away to dry the area.
Step 3: Damp Mopping (The Right Way)
This is where your microfiber mop and pH-neutral engineered hardwood floor cleaning really shine. This step is usually done once a week or as needed, depending on how many people walk by.
- Prepare Your Mop: Spray your engineered hardwood floor cleanser lightly onto your microfiber mop pad until it is damp but not dripping wet. If the cleaner comes in a spray bottle, you might also spray a small area of the floor at a time, being sure to get a fine mist, and then mop right away. Don’t spray the whole floor at once.
- Mop in Sections: Move the mop in the direction of the wood grain and work on small parts. This helps take up dirt well and stops streaks from forming.
- Avoid Oversaturation: The mop head should be only slightly wet. You’re using too much liquid if you see water on the floor. Either wring out your mop well or use less spray.
- Rinse (If Necessary & Allowed): Some engineered hardwood cleaners don’t need to be rinsed because they evaporate without leaving any residue. If your cleaner has to be rinsed, wet a different clean microfiber mop head with plain water (just damp!) and go over the parts that have already been mopped.
- Dry Immediately: To be extra safe, especially when it’s humid, use a clean, dry microfiber cloth or mop head to immediately dry up any extra water on the floor. Engineered hardwood is sturdy, but dampness that stays around can still be a concern.
Step 4: Deep Cleaning (When and How)
You don’t need to “deep clean” engineered hardwood very often, maybe once a month or every few months, depending on how much your home is used. It’s just a more comprehensive way to damp mop.
- Carefully follow the guidelines for moist mopping.
- If your floor has a lot of dirt or grime that won’t come off with a typical damp mop, you might want to try an engineered wood floor cleaner that is a little stronger but still pH-neutral. To be sure it doesn’t dull or damage the finish, always test it in a place that isn’t easy to see.
- Always remember that the best method to clean wood floors, especially engineered ones, is with delicate care.
Advanced Care & Maintenance Tips
These steps will help you maintain your engineered hardwood floors and make them last longer, in addition to regular cleaning.
- Protect from Scratches:
- Felt Pads: Put felt pads on the bottoms of all your furniture’s legs (chairs, tables, sofas) to keep them from becoming scratched when you move things.
- Area Rugs & Mats: Put area rugs in places where people walk a lot, like hallways, living rooms, and dining rooms. Put mats at the front door to catch dirt and moisture before they get to your flooring.
- Pet Nails: To keep your pets from scratching, keep their nails short.
- Footwear: Think about having a “no shoes in the house” rule, especially for high heels or shoes with rough bottoms.
- Sunlight Protection: If you keep your engineered hardwood in direct sunlight for a long time, it may fade or change color over time. To keep your flooring safe from harmful rays, use curtains, blinds, or window films that block UV rays.
- Humidity Control: Engineered hardwood is more stable than solid wood, but big changes in humidity can still produce problems like gaps or buckling. Use humidifiers in dry places and dehumidifiers in humid places to keep the humidity levels indoors steady (preferably between 35 and 55%).
- Dealing with Scratches and Dents:
- Light Scratches: If your floor has little scratches on the surface, you might be able to purchase engineered wood floor repair kits or touch-up pens that match the color of your floor. Always try it out in a place that isn’t really visible first.
- Deeper Scratches/Dents: If the damage is worse, you may need to hire an expert to fix it. Some engineered flooring with a higher wear layer might be able to be lightly sanded and refinished once or twice, although this is not common for most home engineered floors. The phrase “refinishing engineered wood floors” is pertinent here, but it’s important to know that not all engineered floors can be refinished, unlike solid hardwood. Before trying to refinish, always talk to a flooring expert.
FAQs About Cleaning Engineered Hardwood Floors
Here are some solutions to common inquiries regarding cleaning engineered hardwood:
Q: Can you use a Swiffer WetJet on engineered hardwood floors?
A. It’s not a good idea in general. Some people do, however the pre-mixed solutions in Swiffer WetJets typically have chemicals that can leave a residue, streaks, or even dull the finish of engineered hardwood over time. It’s always better to use a cleaning that is pH-neutral and made for engineered wood.
Q: Can you use a steam cleaner on engineered hardwood?
A. No way. Steam cleaners put a lot of heat and moisture directly on the floor, which can ruin engineered hardwood by warping, bubbling, and peeling off the veneer layer. Don’t go near them at all.
Q: How often should I clean my engineered hardwood floors?
A.
- Every day or every other day, sweep or mop up dust and loose debris.
- Every week, you should vacuum lightly and mop with a damp mop and engineered hardwood cleaner.
- Every month or every three months, do a more thorough moist mopping or spot treatment if needed.
Q: What’s the best homemade cleaner for engineered hardwood?
A. Some people say that vinegar solutions that are less strong are better, but if you want to make your own, it’s best to stick to water and a very mild, pH-neutral dish soap (a little drop in a gallon of water). If you can, use a specific engineered hardwood floor cleaner. If you use vinegar on your engineered wood floors too often or without diluting it, it can dull or strip the finish over time. Before using any DIY solution, always try it in a hidden spot first.
Q: How do you restore shine to engineered hardwood floors?
A. The greatest approach to make anything shine again is to clean it well, which gets rid of dirt and residue that dulls it. Don’t let wax build up. Some companies make “restorer” products for engineered wood finishes that can help bring back the shine to your floor if it has lost it due to wear. These are not polishes; they are a thin coat that can make things look better for a short time. If the wear layer is thin and the finish is really dull or damaged, the only thing you might be able to do is hire an expert to resurface or fix it.
Q: Can engineered hardwood floors be refinished?
A. Yes, but there are certain important things to keep in mind. Most engineered hardwood floors can’t be refinished like solid hardwood floors can. They need to have a wear layer that is at least 2–3 mm thick. Some thinner constructed floors can’t be sanded at all. You might be able to sand it once or twice if it has a heavy wear layer. Always talk to a flooring expert to find out if your floor may be refinished.
Conclusion
Cleaning engineered hardwood floors doesn’t have to be complicated. You can keep your gorgeous floors looking great and unharmed for years to come by learning how they were made and following these easy but important rules. Keep in mind that the most important thing is to always use pH-neutral, engineered hardwood-specific cleaning products and to dry clean your floors regularly.
If you follow these tips, your engineered hardwood floors will stay beautiful and elegant for a long time. If you take care of them, they’ll stay beautiful for many years.