How To Clean A Very Dirty Parquet Floor?

There are certain reasons why parquet flooring gets dirty. Here we have presented some of the main ones;

• Dust Accumulation: Parquet flooring can easily accumulate dust, especially in heavy traffic areas. So a thorough cleaning is essential for a healthy air quality.
• Spill and stains: Various kinds of liquids can get spilled onto the flooring. They can easily discolor the entire flooring and may also remove its shine. And if not cleaned up on time, spills and stains can cause permanent marks.
• Furniture movements: Moving furniture items can leave scuff marks, scratches, and at worst, dents on parquet floors. They can be permanent as well, so quick action is mandatory.
• Improper Cleaning: Oftentimes, when we use the wrong types of chemicals or cleaning agents, they can damage the parquet finish and even leave a residue. This is also true for wax-based cleaners.
• Unclean Mops: Unclean or dirty mops can spread dirty water all around the floor which attracts grime. This also happens when the same cleaner batch is used again and again.
• Every day buildup: if you do not clean your parquet floors regularly, this can lead to stubborn buildups which dull out the surface shine and may also cause deeper damages.

Before we actually get into how we can clean a parquet flooring, it is important to understand the two states in which it comes. These are unfinished and prefinished states. Among the two, unfinished parquet flooring is the most likely to accumulate dust and dirt. Therefore, it requires regular cleaning and careful maintenance. On the other hand, we have finished parquet floors which have a durable topmost layer that protects them from staining, fading and dust and debris buildups, so even a little upkeep can go a long way.

Here is how you can clean and care for unfinished parquet home floors.

Vacuuming or dusting of the parquet floors is very important. Oftentimes, dust and dirt particles reside in the joints of the flooring. But they can be removed with thorough vacuum cleaning (using the hard floor attachment or specialized parquet nozzles) or simply sweeping with a dry mop or broom (only use soft-bristled ones). Besides, vacuum cleaning or sweeping provides a clear canvas for floor cleaners to work properly.

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Now that you are done with sweeping the floors, the next step is damp mopping. Microfiber mops work best for parquet floors because they are gentle to surface finishes and don’t leave any streaks either. However, avoid over saturating the mop or you will experience water stains on the floor. Also, make sure that whenever you are going to mop a floor, it should be covered with a sealant. This is important because it will avoid the penetration of water into the inner layers.

You can alternate this with damp mopping, depending on the foot traffic that your floors get. The best approach for deep cleaning is to use parquet-specific cleaners which don’t affect floor finishes and also do good disinfection. Alternatively, you can combine warm water with any mild liquid soap or even white vinegar to make a cleaning solution. The rest of the procedure is the same; dip the mop into the cleaning solution, wring it well and go over all parts of your parquet floors.

Lastly, you have to do dry mopping which is crucial to take out all the cleaner residue. Floors with lingering water or cleaning solution can attract dirt and dust, which could fail the entire purpose of a cleanup. Use soft microfiber mops for dry mopping and also have enough ventilation in the room to speed up the drying process.

Here are some tips that will help you prolong your parquet flooring and maintain its shine.

1. If your parquet flooring is installed in high-traffic areas, then you should install a rug or a carpet in those areas. Not only will it help retain the flooring’s quality, but it will also help keep interiors cleaner and healthier and make floor maintenance easier as well.
2. If you have any pets, make sure that you trim or cut their nails in order to avoid unwanted scratches and marks on parquet wood floors.
3. In case of any kind of spilling, make sure that you instantly clean that spot or else the stains or marks will become permanent.
4. You should also go for professional floor cleaning services once a year. Professional cleaning is very important since it helps get rid of all stubborn scratches, marks, and spots. Additionally, experts can easily diagnose if there is any problem with your floor and provide dedicated preventive upkeep.
5. It is also recommended to avoid dragging furniture items and/or heavy objects on top of parquet floors, as doing so can cause marks or scuffs on their surface. Lift the furniture up rather than dragging it.

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Parquet flooring is the ultimate best choice for every residential setting. It is highly durable, premium in quality, and makes every space look really luxurious. But to make the most out of it, you have to conduct proper and timely cleanups, both regular addressing and occasional deep cleanups. The cleaning methods we have mentioned work fine for most parquet wood floorings and you can save money on professional cleaning with them. Lastly, we have also presented various tips for taking the right care of parquet luxury floors.