Updated on September 2, 2022
Are you wondering how to wet mop hardwood floors? Did you move into a home with gorgeous hardwood floors but you just can’t seem to get them to shine as they should? Hardwood flooring is a great way to give your home a warm, cozy feeling, but they’re so hard to take care of.
It doesn’t have to be difficult! You have to be sure to use the right tools and cleaning supplies so you don’t interfere with the integrity of your flooring, but I promise that’s not as complicated as you may think it is.
There are a few things that we need to discuss before diving into mopping your wood floors, but if you follow this guide your floors will look as good as new before you know it!
Important Things To Remember
Mopping your hardwood floors doesn’t have to be a dreaded task; it’s a lot simpler than you might think. The most important thing to remember is that you need to make sure you don’t use too much water.
Yes, we are talking about wet mopping your floors, but you don’t want to soak your floors. Too much standing water can damage your hardwood flooring and that’s what we’re trying to avoid. So, how exactly do you wet mop without using a lot of water?
It’s simple! Make sure that you wring out any extra water so that your mop head isn’t dripping with liquid. In addition to how much liquid you use, the supplies you use are equally as important. You want to be sure to pick a soft mop and a cleaning solution that won’t damage the finish on your flooring.
See Also: Can Oven Cleaner Be Used on a Kitchen Countertop?
Choosing Your Mop
There are several types of mops on the market and most of them will do an acceptable job of cleaning your hardwood floors.
The key things you should look for are:
- Soft mop head
- Easy to wring out excess liquid
- Adjustable height
The adjustable height won’t affect how well the mop cleans your floor, but it will help to ensure your back doesn’t hurt after cleaning multiple rooms. Mops that almost always fit all three criteria are microfiber mops. Make sure you take a look at some mop reviews on our site before taking the plunge and purchasing one.
They’re easy to use, come with several replacement pads, and are as easy to wring out as a washcloth. Mopping with a microfiber mop is simple because you can put several cleaning pads in your bucket of water and cleaning solution so you have several pads available.
This allows you to just pull off the dirty pad and put on a new one without having to stop and prepare another cleaning pad, letting you continue with your cleaning project.
Another great thing is that the cleaning pads are washable so you just toss them in your washing machine and you can keep reusing them until they fall apart.
Choosing Your Cleaning Solution
The great thing about living in the 21st century is we literally have the world at our fingertips. Maybe you live in a town with just one or two stores, and neither of them carries a cleaner you want to use on your hardwood. With the internet, you have access to any type of hardwood cleaner available on the market!
Several types come premixed and you can just add to a bucket of water. Some are in bottles, others are sprays.
The important things to look for are:
- Hardwood safe
- Compatible with the type of finish on your floor
- Is it a rinse or no-rinse formula?
Luckily, if your home is newer, your floors were likely sealed with polyurethane, making it easier to find a safe cleaner. If your floors aren’t sealed, you can still mop them, you just need to be sure that you find a cleaner that won’t damage your floors and follow the directions on the package to a T.
You can also mix up a cleaner yourself if you prefer using more natural ingredients. Just be mindful that some items can dull the finish on your floors, so be careful.
Once you’ve picked your mop and your cleaning solution, it’s time to clean!
How To Wet Mop Hardwood Floors
Before you jump in and begin mopping, it’s important to sweep your floor to remove any dirt, debris, and hair. After you sweep, run your dry microfiber mop over your floor to pick up anything you may have missed when sweeping.
- Mix your cleaning solution according to the provided instructions and add several cleaning pads to your bucket.
- Wring out a pad until it’s only slightly wet and put it on your mop head.
- Run the wet mopping pad over your floor.
- Switch pads as needed.
- If your cleaning solution needs to be rinsed, rinse your floor.
Make sure you don’t leave any standing water on your hardwood floors or they could be damaged!
