If you’re wondering if you can steam clean hardwood floors, you’ve come to the right place!
Here, I will discuss whether or not you can perform steam cleaning on wooden floors. Furthermore, I’ll discuss the best ways to go about such a task.
Without further ado, let’s get to the answer below.
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Can You Steam Clean Hardwood Floors?
Yes, but you should only do it on sealed hardwood floors.
That’s because hardwoods are heat and water-resistant, which means they won’t warp even if cleaned with a steam mop.
Do note that there are many types of floors, so you need to be 100% sure that you have hardwood.
According to this guide from SF Gate, here’s how to check it:
- Inspect the surface for sheen. While this indicates the presence of a protective layer, do note that some sealed floors have a matte coating.
- Scrape a small part of the floor with a blade. If you manage to obtain some clear material, it’s a sign that you have a sealed wood floor.
- Check for lifting edges. Unsealed floors will have edges that lift away, especially in areas where water is always present (i.e., kitchen or bathroom.)
- Inspect areas with scratches. If the wood grain underneath is lighter, you have an unsealed floor.
- Spray a small amount of water on the floor. If the water beads, it means the floor is sealed.
The Potential Issues of Steam Cleaning Hardwood Floors
Although hardwood floors have a protective layer that keeps them safe from steam cleaning, there are some issues you need to keep in mind:
Seams
Those in high-traffic areas may crack due to constant use, while some may get damaged due to weather changes. This makes the seam areas vulnerable to excessive moisture.
If you’re not careful, the water from the steam mop can penetrate and cause swelling.
Manufacturer’s Warranty
Unfortunately, using steam on your hardwood floors may void the warranty. As such, make sure to read the terms carefully before you start using your steam mop.
How to Steam Clean Hardwood Floors Without Causing Damage
While you can do steam cleaning on sealed types of wood floors, you shouldn’t do so haphazardly. As mentioned, you may encounter the above problems if you’re not careful.
To prevent such issues from happening, you should follow these tips from professionals:
- Use the lowest setting possible. This will prevent the production of excess water that can ruin your floors.
- Clean the area quickly. Leaving your steam mop on your floor for a prolonged time can lead to marking. So make sure to go through the site pretty quickly!
According to cleaning expert Angela Brown, another option is to clean most of your hardwood floors without using a steamer. This is especially applicable to low-traffic areas that don’t get as dirty.
You just need to apply the microfiber pad bonnet, wet it a little, and proceed to clean the said areas.
More Tips on Cleaning Hardwood Floors
Apart from following the recommendations above, the below tips should help you clean your floors without causing any potential water/heat damage:
- Use a dust mop instead. This can help remove the dirt and debris on your floor without the risk of heat or water damage.
- Periodically clean your floor with a certified wood cleaner. Stains can build up over time, so you’ll need to remove them carefully with the help of wood cleaners. Make sure to follow the manufacturers’ directions when you do so!
- Make your own homemade cleaner. If you want to disinfect your floors more naturally, you can mix ten parts of warm water, 1 part of vinegar, and a few drops of Castile soap.
- Use tea as a cleaning agent. Steep two tea bags in boiling water and let them cool down for some time. The tannic acid in this solution can make your floors shine beautifully.
- Use a damp mop. Whatever solution you wish to use, make sure to wring the mop after wetting it. That way, you don’t introduce excessive liquid on your hardwood floors.
- Wipe the area with a dry mop. Even if you’ve only used a minimal amount of liquid, leaving some on the clean surface can still cause potential damage. So make sure to dry the area after cleaning it!
What Floors Shouldn’t Be Steam Cleaned?
As mentioned above, if you’re 100% sure that your flooring is sealed, you can clean it with a steam mop. But if not, then you should reconsider another way of cleaning the surface.
Such is true for the following types of wooden floors:
1. Unsealed Floors
As the name suggests, it doesn’t have a protective layer that makes it ‘shiny.’ Notice that if you spill something on it, it’ll get a mark immediately.
The same goes when you use a steam cleaner on it. The warm water will damage the surface and ruin your floors altogether.
2. Engineered Hardwood Floors
Although this type of hardwood floor is highly durable, it shouldn’t be cleaned with a steam mop. For one, it makes use of bonding adhesives. Heat and water can easily penetrate through this layer and damage the floors in the long run.
3. Painted Floors
Even if floors are painted with protective paint, they shouldn’t be cleaned with a steam mop. That’s because it produces heat that can cause bubbling and eventual peeling.
4. Laminate Floors
Laminates are made with particle boards or compressed fibers. Expectedly, they can be easily destroyed by the vapor coming from the steam mop.
5. Vinyl Adhesive Tile Floors
Just like laminates, vinyl tile floors are attached to the ground with the help of adhesives. And as discussed, the steam coming from the map may cause the bond to loosen.
In the long run, this may lead to your vinyl floors completely detaching from the ground surface.
Conclusion
Indeed, you can steam-clean hardwood floors – as long as they are the sealed kind. That said, doing so poses some risks. Moisture can seep through the steams. Moreover, using a steam cleaner may void your manufacturer’s warranty.
If you decide to steam-clean wood floors, use the lowest setting possible. Furthermore, sweep through the areas quickly.