Originating in 16th century France, parquet flooring has a pattern that can bring elegance and style to almost every room in the house. It’s durable, affordable and a great focal point. This distinctive and popular flooring does require regular upkeep to ensure it looks as fresh and beautiful as the day it was laid.
Parquet flooring is extremely hard wearing, making it perfect for areas with a lot of foot traffic whether that be the hallway or an open plan living room. So, if you’re wondering how to maintain it and the best way to clean a parquet wood floor, we’ve put together some top tips to help you.
1. Vacuum The Floor
From pet hair to particles carried in on shoes, hardwood flooring collects dirt, dust and debris which can build up quickly and so using a vacuum is a great way to clean parquet. Hoovering will get between the nooks and crannies of parquet flooring and loosens dirt to be cleaned more thoroughly later. When you hoover, always set it to a hard floor or bare floor setting. If your vacuum doesn’t have this setting, use a soft brush attachment instead to avoid scratching your floor.
2. Sweep And Mop
Regularly sweeping is also important when cleaning your parquet floor as it can pick up things your vacuum missed. Once you’ve removed dirt and debris, you should also ensure you mop it. It’s important not to saturate your flooring in water or product. You can simply lightly damp a mop (a sponge mop that can be wrung out thoroughly works well) with water only and allow it to air dry. This will pick up dust and maintain your floor.
3. Deep Cleaning
It is crucial to give your floor a deep clean to get rid of excess build up. Always follow the manufacturer’s recommended instructions when cleaning your parquet flooring and avoid harsh chemicals such as bleach and ammonia which can damage it. Instead, find a special parquet floor cleaning solution and follow these simple steps:
- Remove as much furniture as you can before your deep clean. By doing so you’ll ensure an even clean. Just be sure not to drag heavy items which might scratch the floors!
- Start with a general clean (as above) by vacuuming, sweeping and mopping. We recommend giving it a double mop to really ensure you’ve picked up all the grime and dust that comes from treading in dirt from outdoors.
- Use your special parquet floor cleaner which will be specific to wood surfaces and not only clean but also polish the floors. Avoid wax products that promise shine and instead use a sealant that will increase the longevity and durability of your flooring.
- You don’t have to buy commercial products if you’d rather create your own. Home remedies can be suitable for parquet flooring but you should avoid using common homemade cleaning products like vinegar, oil-based soaps or high pH cleaners. Instead mix a bucket of warm water with ¼ cup of mild dishwashing soap.
- Whatever cleaning agent you decide to use, use a mop – rather than a cloth – which will be quicker and is also easier to wring out. Soak the mop with the solution and then spend a good amount of time draining it out.
- Ensure you use a dry mop to get rid of excess water that can damage wood flooring and avoid water marks.
4. General Maintenance
The most efficient way of cleaning a parquet floor is to carry out regular cleans – as mentioned above. But general maintenance of your flooring is just as important:
- Clean up spills immediately to help reduce and eliminate staining. You want to prevent as much liquid as possible from seeping into the wood and the joints.
- To avoid scuffs, scratches and dents, place protective felt feet under furniture, particularly heavier items such as sofas or bookcases. Trim your pets nails regularly to avoid scratches.
- To prevent excess dirt tracking across the flooring, place mats inside and outside entry doors and dry mop between deep cleans to keep your floor looking fresh and clean.
- Protect heavy trafficked areas such as hallways with rugs or runners .
- If any of your windows are a source of direct sunlight, shade it with curtains or blinds to avoid fading.
Post time: May-23-2023