Tips for Cleaning Maple Hardwood Floors

Lead Image for Tips for Cleaning Maple Hardwood Floors
  • 1-8 hours
  • Beginner
  • 1-400
What You'll Need
Mop
Bucket
Water
Floor Wax
Vacuum Cleaner w/bare floor attachment
Floor Cleaner per your floor's Mfr.
What You'll Need
Mop
Bucket
Water
Floor Wax
Vacuum Cleaner w/bare floor attachment
Floor Cleaner per your floor's Mfr.

Maple hardwood floors are one of the most favored choices for homeowners because it takes less effort to clean and maintain it, and Maple is a kind of wood that will add beauty to any room it is installed. Hence if you have such flooring in your home, it will automatically increase its market value and hasten the resale process. However, no matter how durable your hardwood flooring is, you still need to give it a regular cleaning to keep it looking its best. There are four important aspects of maple floor cleaning that you need to address and these are floor cleaning, repair, refinishing, and protection.

Clean your Maple Hardwood Floor on a Regular Basis

Learning how to clean your maple flooring correctly is essential since dirt and grit will scratch its surface and make a mark that can be permanent if it's not removed immediately. Dust that settles on its surface is also more visible than on carpet or linoleum floors. This is especially true if your maple floor has been stained in a dark color or it is exposed to sunlight. To clean it, you have to sweep and dust it at least once every week and on occasions where dirt and grime are seen on the floor. If you have products that are specially designed for hard floors you should use them. If you have a vacuum cleaner, it is preferable to use it than a broom since it can suck out dirt and dust that is in between the planks as well. However, use the machine with a bare floor attachment. Using a beater bar can damage your wood flooring.

Use the Appropriate Cleaning Method

If you have to make a more thorough cleaning, use only the cleaning method that is right for the finish on your particular flooring. If you have a glossy finish, a water-based urethane or polyurethane has been used. If the floor has a matte finish, a penetrating seal of wax or oil may have been used. Neither of these finishes should be cleaned with water, but you can make use of a damp mop. Take note of the difference between wet and damp to ensure you do not damage your flooring. If the floor has been finished with oil or wax, you may add a small amount of hardwood cleaner that has a neutral pH. Glossy wood flooring can be cleaned with generic hardwood cleaner, but make sure that it does not contain any oil or wax.

Do's and Don’ts of Maple Floor Cleaning

As with every type of cleaning method, cleaning your maple hardwood floor has its own dos and don’ts that you should follow in order to maintain its beauty. You should never use a regular floor cleaner, dusting product, household cleaner, or ammonia on your maple flooring. If it has been treated with urethane or some other glossy finish, avoid using wax on it. If your floor is made from hardwood such as maple, you should never wash it. Instead, use only a mop that has been dampened slightly. If you observe any damage in your floor area, repair it as soon as you can to avoid a greater problem later.