How to Clean Bamboo Floors Safely

bamboo flooring
What You'll Need
Micro-fiber mop or high quality for damp mopping
Dry mop such as a Swiffer mop
Dishwashing liquid or a hardwood cleaner
Vacuum cleaner with attachments
Dehumidifier (optional, but helpful)
What You'll Need
Micro-fiber mop or high quality for damp mopping
Dry mop such as a Swiffer mop
Dishwashing liquid or a hardwood cleaner
Vacuum cleaner with attachments
Dehumidifier (optional, but helpful)

Bamboo flooring has become a popular alternative to hardwood flooring; follow these instructions to safely clean bamboo floors, an eco-friendly grass that is actually more inexpensive, harder, and more durable than most hardwoods.

Bamboo Maintenance Tips

Place floor mats at all entrances to collect abrasive materials (sand, dirt, grit) and moisture that can damage the bamboo finish and flooring. Use felt pads under furniture legs to prevent moving furniture from scratching or gouging the floor. Use a dehumidifier to maintain a safe humidity level, around 45%.

Step 1 - Dry Mop and Vacuum Regularly

stalks of bamboo on bamboo flooring

Dirt, sand, and grit can damage the finish and your bamboo flooring when feet rub them into the floor. Although bamboo is more resistant to warping from excessive moisture than hardwoods, too much water will eventually damage bamboo as well. To remove day-to-day grime, dry mop with a fine fiber mop, or use a vacuum with an attachment.

Step 2 - Clean Spills Immediately

Clean up spills with a damp cloth as soon as possible. Gooey substances such as gum, can be removed by placing ice over them to harden the sticky stuff, making it easier to scrape off.

Step 3 - Damp Mop Occasionally

Using a high-quality, microfiber mop, damp mop occasionally when the regular vacuuming and dry mopping doesn’t seem to be sufficient. Don’t soak the floor with water; dip the mop into a bucket of soapy water and wring thoroughly before using to scrub the floor. The fine fibers of the mop make the grit cling to it, so that you aren’t just pushing dirt around, doing more damage than good. Damp mopping with a microfiber mop will also allow your floor to dry quickly. Choose a cleaner free from caustic, acidic, or oily ingredients. A cleaner made for hardwood, or a gentle cleaner like dish-washing liquid, works well without leaving detergent streaks over your clearly finished bamboo flooring.

Never wax bamboo flooring. Waxed bamboo floors will be difficult to refinish, even years after wax has been applied. Simple vacuuming and mopping is enough to keep your floor shining.

Follow these careful cleaning instructions to maintain the beauty and sparkle of new bamboo flooring!