How To Properly Clean Painted Hardwood Floors

Painted hardwood floors provide a wider range of design options than their more traditional unpainted counterparts, providing a greater degree of customization to homeowners with the same durability. However, painted hardwood floors require different cleaning regimens in order to maintain their lustre. Understanding what to do and what to avoid when it comes to cleaning your painted hardwood floor can help you maintain your floor's aesthetic and extend the lifespan of its paint job. 

What to Do

• Dusting: Stuck on dust and dirt will chip away at and fade the paint job of your floor, often unevenly. This can be prevented by regular dusting and sweeping, which will remove the vast majority of detritus that builds up on your floors.
• Floor Cleaners: Use a non-wax floor cleaner to remove any stains or spills from your floor. Avoid wax cleaners, which are designed for use on unpainted hardwood floors, as they can remove or damage your paintjob. Using a floor cleaner regularly to remove spills and stains can help maintain the aesthetic of your floor.
• Paint: If there are small spots on your floor which have become damaged or faded over time, you should apply a fresh coat of paint to remove the blemish from your floor. This can extend the amount of time your floor can go without being completely repainted.

What to Avoid

• Mopping: Water exposure to hardwood flooring causes all sorts of problems, even if the floor is painted. You'll want to avoid using steam cleaners or mops to clean your floor, as the water can cause the floorboards to warp and buckle, or cause the paint to bubble. Water can also cause rot or mold growth if it is excessively exposed to wood.
• Abrasive Cleaners: Harsh cleaning chemicals and rough surfaces or sponges are not well suited for cleaning painted hardwood floors, as they will more often than not remove the paint from your floor as well as any built up dirt or grime. Using a homemade cleaner of half warm water and half vinegar, or the above mentioned no-wax floor cleaner, should be more than enough to keep your floors clean.
• Oil Based Varnishes: If you want to seal your floor to protect the paint from water and physical damage, you'll need to use a water based stain or varnish instead of an oil based one, as oil-based sealants will alter the color of your floor and leave it with a yellow tint.

For options on replacement hardwood flooring, contact a local outlet, such as Surplus Sales.