Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Remove dirt and dust
• Part 2 of 3: Using a liquid cleaner
• Part 3 of 3: Preventing floor damage

Unlike a traditional parquet floor that is made of wood only, a parquet floor consists of several layers. The surface of a parquet floor consists of real hardwood, but the layers underneath are usually made of plywood or high-density fiberboard. To prevent permanent black stripes and stains on a parquet floor, you will have to clean the floor regularly. You can start with a dustpan and dustpan and then switch to liquid cleaners recommended by the floor manufacturer.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Remove dirt and dust

1. Sweep the floor daily with a broom. Every day loose pieces of dirt and small stones can be walked into the house. Use a soft broom to sweep up any debris in your home. Pay particular attention to places where dirt particles and stones collect quickly, such as the hall. Lots of the dirt and dust in a tin and dispose of it outside.
   • Dirt particles and stones that remain on the parquet floor will be rubbed into the surface and can make black streaks on the top layer of hardwood or damage it. The protective layer on the parquet floor can also be scratched by dirt particles and stones.
   • To keep your parquet floor in good condition, you should clean it regularly. To make the floor last as long as possible, try to sweep or vacuum the floor daily.
2. Be careful when vacuuming the floor. If you prefer not to use a broom or want to make sure that you have removed all dirt from the parquet floor, you can clean the floor with a vacuum cleaner. Set the vacuum cleaner to the parquet floor setting so that the rotating brush does not turn. If you don't, the rotating brush will scratch the paintwork on your floor and make streaks on it.
   • If you scratch your parquet floor with a rotating brush, the damage may not be repairable.
3. Mop your parquet floor with a dry microfibre mop. Use a microfiber mop to clean the floor and make sure you remove any dust that has entered the house and blown in. A dry microfiber mop works well for picking up all dirt and dust on the floor, including dirt you may have missed with your broom. You also don't run the risk of your floor getting damaged by water. Mop your parquet floor at least once a week.
   • Only mop your parquet floor with a microfibre mop. This material has a less abrasive effect on the lacquer layer and top layer of your parquet floor than a regular mop, and you do not need to use water.
4. Mop your floor with a slightly damp mop. You may not have a microfiber mop or may not want to use one. In this case, you can use a traditional strand mop to clean your floor. Wring the water out of your mop thoroughly before mopping the floor with it. Make sure the mop is only slightly damp. You don't need a lot of moisture to properly clean a hardwood floor. If moisture remains on the parquet floor after mopping, wipe it off with a towel.
   • You can also remove light stains from liquids spilled on the floor with a slightly damp string mop.
5. Place a doormat at the outside doors of your house. You can save yourself some work sweeping and mopping your hardwood floors if you protect the areas near the outside doors - especially the front and back doors - by laying out a doormat. A doormat catches a lot of the dust and dirt that would otherwise end up on your parquet floor.
   • Place a doormat outside at each outside door so that visitors can wipe mud and dirt from their shoes. Also, place a doormat indoors where visitors can wipe their feet again to remove finer dirt and dust.
   • Every week, shake out your doormats outside, so that the dust and dirt in the doormats cannot be walked into the house.

Part 2 of 3: Using a liquid cleaner

1. Buy a liquid cleaner recommended by the floor manufacturer. Parquet floors may only be cleaned with a liquid cleaner made by the manufacturer who also made the floor. Which cleaner you should use differs per type of parquet floor. Using the wrong brand or type of liquid cleaner can seriously damage the hardwood. If you are not sure what type of cleaner to use, call or email the manufacturer to ask what type of liquid cleaner they recommend.
   • You can also buy liquid cleaners intended for parquet floors at hardware stores.
   • If you can't find the right cleaner at a hardware store, check the shelves of cleaning products or flooring supplies at a larger department store or supermarket.
2. Scrub spills and stains with a liquid cleaner. If any part of the floor is particularly dirty, has stains on it or liquid has been spilled on it, you can clean the floor with the liquid cleaner. Apply a small amount of liquid cleaner to the surface of the hardwood and clean the floor with a sponge mop or clean cloth. Sweep the surface of the hardwood until the stain is removed and apply more cleaner if necessary.
   • After removing a stain, do not leave puddles of liquid cleaner on the floor. Immediately wipe off the cleaner with a clean paper towel or cloth. There is no need to rinse the cleaner with water.
   • To clean small areas that a mop can't reach or to remove stains that are difficult to reach, you may need to scrub the floor by hand. Pour a small amount of liquid cleaner onto a clean cotton cloth and blot and wipe the dirty area of ​​your floor to gently clean it.
3. Do not use cleaners intended for tile and vinyl floors. The cleaners may look the same and may be side by side on the shelf at the hardware store, but the products are not interchangeable. Liquid cleaners that you can use to clean tile and vinyl floors can cause permanent damage to parquet floors.
   • Cleaning products for tile and vinyl floors will also not completely clean your parquet floor. To find out which products you can use as replacements, contact the floor manufacturer and ask which liquid cleaners are safe to use on their floors.

Part 3 of 3: Preventing floor damage

1. Wipe up spilled liquids immediately. An accident can happen, but if you have spilled water or another liquid on your parquet floor, you will have to absorb the moisture immediately. If you leave spilled moisture on your parquet floor for a while, the moisture can soak into the floor and damage the lacquer layer and hardwood. This can cause a permanent stain.
   • Gently blot spilled liquids to absorb them. Do not scrub or apply pressure to clean the wet areas. Doing so can warp the top layer of the hardwood or force the moisture into the wood, damaging the floor.
2. Do not use vinegar and ammonia. These corrosive liquids can clean certain surfaces, but they are likely to damage your parquet floor. Ammonia and vinegar can remove or damage the protective layer on the top hardwood layer.
3. Never clean your parquet floor with a steam cleaner. A steam cleaner can be a useful device for cleaning carpets, but should never be used on parquet floors. The steam can damage the wooden surface by spraying water into the lacquer layer and the top hardwood layer.
   • A steam cleaner can cause more damage to your parquet floor than other cleaning methods that use a lot of water (such as mopping with a soaking wet mop). A steam cleaner sprays moisture into the wood and can therefore also damage the bottom layers of plywood or fiberboard.
4. Never use an abrasive cleaning brush. Hard, abrasive cleaning products such as steel wool or a wire brush should never be used on a hardwood floor. These products will almost certainly scratch or otherwise damage the lacquer that protects the hardwood.
5. Immediately absorb residual moisture. Parquet floors are more resistant to liquids than traditional hardwood floors, but never leave pools of water and liquid cleaner on your floor. Dry the floor with a towel if there is still liquid cleaner on your floor after cleaning.
   • Using a soaking mop can also damage the top layer of hardwood. The wood can warp or warp if it absorbs a significant amount of water. Absorb all moisture after mopping.