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Home Decorating

Hardwood Floor Steam Cleaning Question

11 years ago

I posted on the cleaning forum, but I believe there are many more hardwood floor owners on this forum. After cleaning up a mess the dog made, I realized what bad shape my floors were in. I've since purchased a Shark hardwood floor steam cleaner, which did a good job, but don't think I love it.. I wish it had multiple steam ports, hotter steam and a swivel head. What kind of steam cleaner do you use or how do you clean your HW floors?

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Comments (4)

debrak_2008
11 years ago
Steam cleaning hardwood is never recommended. With that said many people do it all the time. I do it occasionally with a Shark. I find it still leaves some spots. I just bought a Bruce hardwood cleaning kit and it worked better.
amj0517
11 years ago
I have a shark, but I never feel like it gets my floors clean. I use it in between the "on my hands and knees" cleaning. I use hot water and vinegar.
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I have been using the Bissell steam cleaner on my floors for a few years now. They have never looked better. No streaks anywhere. We have solid wood brazillian cherry,which are dark and glossy so they normally show everything. I echo the poster who said that the steam dissipates very quickly, so does not really seem to be a threat to the wood. I tried Bona and many other cleaners, but the steam mop is by far the best. We also have tile and marble floors, and I love that I can go right through the house with one device. I'll never go back to another method. There is much more discussion on these cleaners on the Cleaning Forum.
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Never use a steam cleaner on hardwood floors! The steam forces water into the wood and it will get in between the finish coats, causing the finish to appear dull and cloudy. Or worse, it could cause the finish to start peeling off. This will also void your product warranty. Dust mop and vacuum on a weekly basis. Use a specific hardwood floor cleaner when necessary. Never use any product that says "refresh, restores, shines, protects" etc. Damp mop with the cleaner only, never wet mop.
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DLM2000-GW
11 years ago
Water + wood = swelling so what you're doing long term is popping the finish off. Short term you MAY see a cleaner floor but once that finish is compromised, keeping it clean will be more difficult. A damp microfiber cloth (use water or cleaning agent of your choice, diluted and wrung out) is a great wood floor cleaner. I use the Bona mop but not the Bona cleaners. I prefer a VERY diluted Mrs. Meyers Lemon Verbena general purpose cleaner.
yayagal
11 years ago
Bona mop cleaner here, I would never use water of any type on a wood floor. Would you steam your wooden furniture? I know they advertise to do it but wood doesn't like water, you get swelling. The Bona technique cleans beautifully.

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