Can I Clean My Hardwood Floors With Steam

Vinegar and water will dull the floor s finish over time while soap or wax will leave a residue.

Can i clean my hardwood floors with steam.

If your floor is sealed you can clean it with steam on the medium or low setting. However avoid using a steam mop on unsealed hardwoods as they re more vulnerable and easily damaged by excessive moisture. Steam exposes your wood floor to extreme heat and water. This can cause damage warping bending and rotting.

For example the grain grade and finish of your hardwood flooring will determine if it can be steamed. Drastic temperature changes and moisture may warp the wood says steve. And avoid products that promise to restore or add shine or add luster they may contain an acrylic polish which leaves a residue on wood flooring says miller. 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.

But for us the risk is worth the reward until we see real life examples indicating otherwise. A steam cleaner by its very nature uses water heated to a very hot vapor to clean and disinfect the surface of a floor. For starters never ever use a steam mop which drives water into the grooves and crevices. Today there are a number of companies that believe it is a good idea to steam clean hardwood floors with the use of their manufactured steam cleaners.

Avoid using a steam mop on wood although it may be tempting to deep clean your hardwood floors with a steam mop don t. Can my hardwood floors be steamed safety. So can you steam clean hardwood floors. Once entering the seams the steam will eventually condense back to liquid water.

Steam cleaners put heat and excessive water on your floor which can lead to cupping and long term damage. Avoid using water and vinegar soap based cleaners wax or steam cleaners on your hardwood floor. The indication is that the water when heated to an extremely hot vapor will not cause damage to the hardwood floors as long as they are properly sealed. Solid hardwood floors sealed hardwood floors can withstand the moisture and heat from a steam mop and they clean really nicely with a streak free finish.

And i m still a little apprehensive about using a steam mop on laminate flooring. Steam is much thinner than liquid water thus it is easier for steam to enter through the seams of a hardwood floor. But if your hardwood flooring is suited for steaming it can help keep it looking polished and clean. But you may need to do a deep clean every month or so.

Yes but do not use steam mops on unsealed hardwood floors. Using a steam mop on hardwood floors is undoubtedly riskier than simply cleaning with a dry cloth.