Can You Clean Wood Floors With Steam

The first according to better homes and gardens is that it can damage unsealed floors.

Can you clean wood floors with steam.

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 the steam cleaner on surfaces that aren t sealed as they can warp under the heat of your cleaner. Steam cleaning isn t the only type of cleaning method to avoid when it comes to hardwood. You want to be very careful steam cleaning wood surfaces as the high heat and moisture can remove finish and ruin the wood.

There are now ceramic and porcelain tile products designed to look remarkably like woods and these too are perfectly safe for the use of steam cleaners. Well that depends on a few things. While a properly sealed wood floor may accept light steam cleaning most wood floor manufacturers caution against the use of any cleaning methods that rely on water or steam which can discolor or warp wood. Dry thoroughly with a microfiber towel to remove moisture.

On that note steam cleaning devices shouldn t be used on hardwood floors either. 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. 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. Can my hardwood floors be steamed safety.

Test with a very low steam a few inches away from the surface in an inconspicuous area before proceeding. Avoid using a steam mop on wood although it may be tempting to deep clean your hardwood floors with a steam mop don t. For example the grain grade and finish of your hardwood flooring will determine if it can be steamed. Although it may accurately reproduce the appearance of hardwood it is impervious to harm from moisture and can be easily treated with a steam cleaner without having to worry about harming the floor.

So can you steam clean hardwood floors. Because of wood s porous nature moisture is easily absorbed. Buckling is another possibility. Steam cleaners will leave excessive water and heat.

When in doubt do your research before attempting a cleaning method you don t already know is safe. You can t use steam mops on your laminate floors. But if your hardwood flooring is suited for steaming it can help keep it looking polished and clean. However avoid using a steam mop on unsealed hardwoods as they re more vulnerable and easily damaged by excessive moisture.

Drastic temperature changes and moisture may warp the wood says steve.