Ditch the Mop and Bucket

Caring for your hardwood floors doesn’t have to be a chore, as long as you have the right tools for the job. With so many products on the market, our top three choices are vacuums, brooms and microfiber mops. Here are some general considerations for each: 

Vacuums - Vacuums are great multi-use appliances that provide a quick and easy way to dust your hardwood floors. With their multiple attachment options, vacuums can help you reach those hard-to-get places that other tools can’t. When using a vacuum, be aware that most have a bare-floor setting that raises the beater bar to a safe level above your hardwood floors. Always check to make sure the beater bar is as far away from your floors as possible to prevent scratching.

Brooms - While brooms may seem like primitive cleaning tools, there is as much variation in broom types and functions as there is in vacuums. Some brooms are even specifically designed for cleaning hardwood floors. They are another quick option for cleaning your hardwood floors, but one concern with using brooms is that they only push debris around, requiring the extra step of removal.

Microfiber Mops/Dusters - Microfiber mops are made with synthetic materials specifically designed to attract and trap dust particles, making them an effective go-to product in the battle to keep your hardwood floors dust-free. Microfiber mops provide less strain on the body than vacuums because of their lightweight nature, and some microfiber cleaning pads are washable, giving them an extra money-saving benefit.

When it’s time to start cleaning, make sure your hardwood floors are the last to be dusted. In general, dusting should be done from the ceiling to the floor. This way, you avoid doing double the work when dust falls from higher places down onto your previously clean floors. Experimentation is needed to find the dusting solution that works best for your cleaning style and space, but the key to keeping your floors dust free is to have a realistic approach and loud music.