How To Clean Floating Timber Floors Like A Pro

Floating timber floors are a popular flooring choice due to their affordability and easy installation system. It actually ‘floats’ over your existing floor without being glued or nailed, saving your installation time and energy. The timber boards are designed to click into the subfloor along the edges, all thanks to a quick and secure click joint profile system. This makes floor installation seamless and efficient. However, it requires regular upkeep and the right cleaning methods to retain its timeless beauty for years.

Regular cleaning usually includes effective removal of dust, dirt, and debris from cracks and crannies using non abrasive tools. Unsurprisingly, most people use strong cleaning products or excess water, leading to warping and swelling. This can make your floorboards look dull and deteriorated. Worry not! Here is a step by step guide to help you clean beautiful floating timber floors like a pro. Don’t underestimate the power of natural cleaning products, as these can transform your floors without causing indoor air pollution or potential damage to the surface.

Let’s Get Started!

1. Why Does Your Floating Timber Floor Need Cleaning?

The timber boards are connected and are installed over an existing floor, such as concrete, hardwood or tiles. This leaves a gap between the walls and the floating floors for a seamless expansion. The gap is usually covered with mouldings or skirting boards. However, if left exposed, dust, dirt and moisture can accumulate, leading to warping, swelling and permanent damage.

With regular cleaning, you can maintain the appearance of the floating floors while preventing moisture damage. In rental properties, most tenants lose their bond money due to warped or dirty floors. Thus, using the right methods is essential to prevent stains and grime on the surface. You can also prefer hiring professionals for a budget bond cleaning Gold Coast. They can help you pass the final rental inspection without any disagreement.

However, it is important to keep your timber floorboards clean on a regular basis. You can consider the following cleaning tips for spotless results.

2. Sweeping or Vacuuming to Combat Dust & Debris

There is no denying that floors tend to accumulate dust and debris, making them look dull and dingy. So, the basic thing you can do is regular sweeping or vacuuming to prevent the buildup of dust in gaps and crannies. Use a soft bristled broom or a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to remove activated dust bunnies from the floorboards. It can help you clean nooks and crannies around skirting boards in a breeze. Don’t be harsh when cleaning to avoid damaging the beautiful floor. Abrasive sweeping may leave scratches behind. It is an essential cleaning hack for pet owners, as pet dander tends to scatter all around the floors.

Tip: Pay special attention to high traffic areas, such as a living room, kitchen and bathrooms.

3. Act on Spills and Splatters Proactively

Don’t let spills and fresh stains settle on the floating timber floors to prevent swelling, warping and damage. Grab a microfibre cloth and gently blot on the affected area. You can use a mild detergent and hot water solution to break down spills or splatters. While gentle rubbing is advisable, abrasive scrubbing could leave scratches behind. Also, avoid using ammonia based cleaning products or other strong solvents. The only hack is proactive blotting on the surface!

4. Tackle Stubborn Stains Using Castile Soap

Highly trained bond cleaners Gold Coast recommend using pH neutral cleaners for timber floorboards. Castile soap is one of the most suitable cleaning options, as it is made with natural, plant based soap. It is gentle on wooden floors compared to store bought cleaners and acidic solutions. You can easily remove pet stains, grease, grime and gunk using the diluted form of castile soap. You can either dilute 10-20 drops of liquid soap in one gallon of warm water or pour it into a spray bottle and spot clean the surfaces. For scrubbing, use a sponge and work in a circular motion. Allow the time to break down the gunk because it is one of the essential components of effective cleaning. Then, wipe and dry the surface.

Tip: First, do a patch test in a hidden area to prevent damage or discolouration.

5. Regular Mopping With a Microfibre Mop

Once you’ve treated stubborn stains and grime, it’s time for detailed mopping. This will leave your floating timber floors shiny all day long. However, don’t use excess water as it could lead to mould and mildew due to moisture. Instead, use a microfibre mop, wring out excess water and mop the floor. You can use hot water to remove dirt and heavy soil. It is good to mop your floors three days a week, especially if you live in a rental home. This can help you maintain clean and functional floorboards throughout your lease, helping you pass the inspection.

6. Allow the Floors to Dry Completely

After mopping your floating floorboards, ensure you dry them completely. The wet floors may lose their pristine shine, leading to bond deductions at the end of your tenancy. You can open the fan and windows to accelerate the drying process. To boost its polish, use a timber refresher and achieve an ultimate shine.

7. Cleaning Mistakes to Avoid for Floating Timber Floors

Wrong or inappropriate cleaning methods can do more harm than good. Keep the following don’ts in mind for best results:

• Never use steam mops or cleaner on the floors, as this could damage the surface permanently
• Don’t scrub the floating floors with metal or sharp brushes
• Avoid waxing the floor
• Don’t use undiluted acidic cleaners like white vinegar or lemon. This can cause discolouration.
• Never leave wet carpets on the floors
• Say no to harsh cleaning products

Tip: It is always better to hire experts for a quality bond cleaning Gold Coast for the ultimate spotless shine of your rental property. They can meet the outlined cleaning obligations while helping you reclaim the full bond money.

Top Tips to Clean Floating Timber Floors

Wrapping Up

Nothing works wonders than the right cleaning guide to maintain the timeless beauty of floating timber floors. Hopefully, this guide has helped you understand key cleaning basics, proper cleaning techniques and right products for pro like results.