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Hardwood floors give a nice appearance to your home, but if you don’t maintain them, they’ll stick out like a sore thumb. When cleaning, making the wrong decision might even ruin your so sought-after floorboards, resulting in a very dull floor.

Luckily, you can learn the best way to keep your floor spotless and in good shape. Here are three steps for streak-free hardwood floor cleaning!

Why proper cleaning is essential for your wood flooring

In a sense, your hardwood floor is alive. Wood reacts to the temperature and humidity in your home, so you must avoid putting your flooring through extreme conditions. Harsh chemicals can dry and peel the finish, while excess water will warp the boards.

Heat can also hurt hardwood, so be very careful before using a steam mop on your hardwood floors. Always check the manuals, but to be safer, just avoid steam cleaning altogether.

Next, we’ll show you how to clean your wooden floors without worrying about damaging them.

How to clean your hardwood floors

Cleaning your wood floors is pretty straightforward, and by the time you’re done with these steps, you’ll only need to clean your flooring once a week with a slightly damp mop.

Before starting, keep in mind that not every floor is identical; spot-test first whenever you try a new cleaning solution.

Step #1: Remove dust from your flooring

Catch dust with a slightly damp microfiber mop first so that you won’t scratch the surfaces.

You could use a vacuum cleaner, but most of these devices will scratch your floors, so be very careful. Check if your vacuum cleaner has a “hardwood floor setting” or if it raises its brush bar for extra safety. If the wheels are rubberized, the better.

When vacuuming, go slowly and over the same spots repeatedly so you don’t miss anything.

Step #2: Remove tough stains

Water spots can be dissolved with baking soda; use a tiny amount (so the wood won’t dry) and wipe it with a damp cloth. If you run into tougher stains, dip the corner of a soft cloth in a mix of 50/50 water and rubbing alcohol. 

If you struggle with oil and grease spills, you can damp a soft cloth in soapy water and scrub the stain away. However, you’ll need to rinse the soap residue with a slightly damp mop.

Step #3: Mop your floors clean

Flat mops are best suited, but you can still get the job done with a regular mop and a bucket. You can use a special floor solution with neutral pH (meaning no harsh acidic properties that damage the wood), but if you don’t want any headaches, the natural way is using white vinegar.

Dilute vinegar in water so its acidity won’t damage your flooring. The safest ratio is ½ cup vinegar per gallon of warm water, but still, make sure to spot-test before going all in.

The cleaning technique consists of wringing out the mop as much as possible and going in blocks, never neglecting corners. You can turn on the fans for faster drying. 

Hire cleaning services in Waukesha County, WI

Let CHRIStal Clean give you a hand with your home whenever you feel like throwing the towel during chores. We use only non-toxic and safe products! Get your quote and win back your free time!

Do you remember baseboards, those things between your wall and floor? Maybe you don’t, but they also need cleaning. If your baseboards just caught your eye, it’s because they’re already giving a bad look with those stains and dust buildup.

It’ll be great if dirty baseboards are your only problem but, maybe you have low mobility, making bending over a challenge.

Don’t let an aching back or bad knees stop you from having your home looking its best. These steps will allow you to clean baseboards effortlessly without hurting yourself.

Step #1: Dust the baseboards

Get someone to help you move the furniture and gather tools for cleaning. There are two main ways to remove dust and dirt from baseboards successfully: 

1. Use a broom and dustpan: Plain and simple; the very same you use around the house.  
2. Use a vacuum cleaner: It’s more comfortable with a long handle or a wand extension.  Make sure you add a brush attachment.

Cleaning tool hack: Use a sock in a yardstick

You can also make a cleaning tool in a matter of seconds, grabbing any clean sock and sliding a stick in it. 

Step #2: Clean your baseboards

Sometimes, step 1 is enough. However, some tougher stains will need elbow grease. Before you stop and call for help, low-mobility people can easily do deep cleaning. You just need a couple of minutes to make a cleaner and a neat cleaning hack.

You have two options for cleaning agents:

Option #1: Make vinegar with water cleaner (50/50 mix) in a spray bottle.

If you’re worried about the smell of vinegar, it won’t linger after you’re done cleaning.

Option #2: Make a mix of warm soapy water

Cleaning technique: Spray the cleaner over the baseboards and start wiping. Go from bottom to top to avoid solution dripping, leaving traces on the trim.

Cleaning tool hack: Use a microfiber cloth

You can do this step with a microfiber cloth, wrap it around the brush end of a broom and keep it in place with two large rubber bands.

Using fans can dry it faster. Once you’re done, get help putting furniture back in place.

Step #3 Keep baseboards from building up dust and dirt

Baseboard deep cleaning doesn’t need to be that constant. Whenever it’s time to clean the floor, it’s a good reminder to dust the baseboards. Also, look for any sources of dirt and dust before they add up to the mess. 

Another great idea is to get your kids to clean baseboards once in a while. Take this chance to have them use dryer sheets for repelling dust and hairs or even a Magic Eraser on more challenging spots. Help is much appreciated!

It’s also advisable to call cleaning services to take care of your baseboards and the rest of your home. At CHRIStal Clean, we care about giving you the best service and helping you keep a cleaner and safer home. Request a quote now!

Cleaning with a paper towel, a microfiber cloth, or a cotton rag may seem similar, but each one impacts the environment differently. Keeping your home clean and healthy is a priority, but a healthy environment benefits everyone.

Is it better to clean with a paper towel or a reusable cloth? Learn which is better for the environment!

Paper towels vs. reusable cloths: which is greener?

To wipe a surface during your regular cleaning routine or clean an accidental spill, you may reach out for a paper towel or a cloth alike. But, what’s gentler on the environment? 

When it comes to the environmental impact of a product, there are no easy answers. However, below are some considerations to help choose the best one!

Option #1: Paper towels

Compared to microfiber cloths (literally made of plastic,) paper towels may seem like the green choice. However, if you consider that uncompostable paper towels end up in a landfill, while a reusable cloth can serve you for many cleanings, things start to look different.

In short, paper towels are not the best option when you consider the environmental impact, and here are a few reasons why.

• Paper towels need trees: Manufacturers need to cut down trees to make the paper towels—unless it comes from alternative sources like bamboo or recycled paper.
• White towels are bleached with chemicals: Trees are brown, but your kitchen towels are bright white because manufacturers bleach them. In fact, paper towels may contain chlorine and other chemicals.
• Disposable usually means not eco-friendly: Unlike good-quality cloths, paper towels are disposed of after one use. It means using paper towels creates more waste in the landfills. 

However, not all paper towels are the same! You could find brands or paper manufacturers that address the issues listed above. For example, some paper towels are unbleached or bleached with alternative methods that avoid elemental chlorine.

Option #2: Reusable cloth towels

The mere fact that reusable cloth towels aren’t disposed of after one use makes them a greener choice. However, as with paper towels, some cloth towels are more eco-friendly than others. 

For example, microfiber cloths can be more convenient, but they are made of non-biodegradable materials like polyester and nylon. On the other hand, cloths made from natural fibers like cotton or linen have almost no impact on the environment!

Here are a few considerations to pick the best cloth towels.

• Avoid synthetic fibers: As said before, microfiber cloths are made from plastic, which means they are non-biodegradable and derived from a non-renewable source. If you have a microfiber cloth, the best thing to do is recycle it once it doesn’t serve you!
• Reuse and recycle whenever possible: Even natural fibers have an impact on the environment. For example, cotton requires a lot of water. Instead of buying a new cleaning cloth, you can cut out several cleaning rags from an old t-shirt. 

CHRISTal Clean is committed to a healthy environment

You can trust on CHRISTal Clean whether you need professionals to take care of your regular chores or one-time cleaning. We use non-toxic cleaning products and essential oils to leave your home healthy and spotless!

Request your quote right now!