This is because the manufacturing process is longer and slightly more complex. Removing hardwood floor polish from bamboo floor. All rights reserved. Rough casters could leave tracks or scrapes. If you notice excess moisture, whether from water or a cleaning solution, dry it as quickly as possible. Smaller drops of water will evaporate, without leaving unsightly watermarks in their wake. These planks are universally set at 5.59 inches by 72.83 inches (1). It will absorb the moisture from the steam and essentially be soaked from the inside. Another tip to keeping your floor in great condition is to glue felt furniture pads to the bottom of table and chair legs. Downsides to homemade solutions are that they’re not specialized for bamboo and that there’s a risk of mixing them incorrectly. You may not notice any damage at first, but given enough time, your floor could stain, warp, or weaken (6). Here’s what you should be doing to make the most of your cleaning: Before you do anything else, gently remove dirt and dust from your floor by sweeping it. Technically speaking, although bamboo is seen as wood, it’s actually a type of grass. The difference is in how they’re produced. If all else fails, there are homemade solutions you can try using items in your kitchen and good old tap water. Plus, chances are you won’t have the pleasant odor of scented cleaners. Without regular sweeping, ideally once a day, gritty dirt and dust can scratch the floor’s surface.Mop weekly, using a hardwood-rated cleaner like Bona (view on Amazon) or a wood soap like Murphy (view on Amazon) to maintain shine and protect the surface. Note that undiluted white vinegar shouldn’t be used as a bamboo floor cleaner, as it may damage your floor’s finish. Avoid ammonia-, vinegar-, or other acidic-based cleaning agents, which can discolor ba… Bamboo is quite water resistant but engineered bamboo is only a thin bamboo veneer glued over a plywood or sawdust base. Solid bamboo is viewed as pure. You want to spritz and then wipe immediately in gentle circular motions with a dry or slightly damp cloth or mop. They’re used the same way and have the same lifespan. For tough spots, such as oil, paint, markers, lipstick, ink, tar, or cigarette marks, use mineral spirits on a clean white cloth, then wipe with a damp cloth. Bruce's have more of a alcohol smell. For both mops and brooms, consider ones with microfiber heads. You’ll also have to consider how you’ll store them, and if you want them in a home with children or pets. To keep your bamboo floors looking new, sweep them daily with a soft … Clean kitchen floors last: Usually kitchen floors have the most dirt and grime buildup, so clean them last to avoid carrying that dirt to other floors in the home. Only use cleaning products recommended for bamboo or hardwood floors and avoid any products that are abrasive, acidic or contain ammonia. The mixture will allow you to clean your bamboo flooring safely. You can opt to vacuum, or dry mop instead. Make sure you check the instructions on your cleaner before using it. The plywood used as the base adds to the cost of the planks as well. Bamboo isn’t like other hardwoods. This will reduce or stop any scratching caused by moving furniture. Apply the mixture to your floors as you would any premade cleaner, using a damp microfiber pad or cloth. Vinegar is not a product that is full of chemicals. On other hard wood flooring I use Bona. The information provided on this website is not intended to be a replacement or substitute for professional medical advice. Below, we’re going to dive into all the pros and cons of engineered bamboo flooring, from sustainability to durability, installation, cost, and beyond.. To keep your floor looking its best, lay down a shoe-cleaning mat at any entry doors. Bona Wood Floor Spray Mop Though it might sound strange, cleaning engineered hardwood floors with vinegar and water is the best way. Most homeowners feel that water should be avoided in cleaning engineered floors. Strips of bamboo are cut, dried, and glued together to form planks that are then lined up and installed. Whether you need the best mop for your office, home, apartment or laundry room, you should make a good choice. A damp sponge or wrung dry rug will do the work perfectly, leaving your floor with natural luster and shine. The more dirt you can keep off your floors, the more damage, staining, and abrasion you can avoid. Never use wet vacuums on bamboo. When you use vinegar to clean the floor, you will notice just with one wipe; the floors get a shiny vibe. Don’t think of bamboo floors as you would a carpet or tiles. Avoid using any cleaning liquids containing oil or caustic ingredients. There’s little effort involved in maintaining bamboo floors. In order to remove common household stains (such as pets' "accidents", spilled drinks, and dirt and grease), use a cleaner that is formulated for your flooring. It’s also easier to target stains or dirt this way. Refinishing the Flooring. When I want a stronger vacuum of my engineered wood floors, I use my Dyson V6 Absolute. If that’s the case, you’ll have to buy specialized products to restore its sheen: See? Some things to look for are the bamboo strand type, construction, and the finish type.There are some special cleaning considerations depending on the type you have. THE DYSON V6 ABSOLUTE I PHOTO: AMAZON There are two main types of bamboo flooring: solid and engineered. Although maintaining your bamboo floor isn’t difficult to do, if you don’t do it correctly, you could accidentally damage it. As you’ll see later, the steps needed to maintain a bamboo floor are easy and affordable. The spray-and buff procedure is quite simple. Bamboo flooring needs little cleaning and maintenance. This section will help you understand the features and qualities that are important for choosing the right cleaner. If you have a busy home and need that extra sense of solidity, bamboo is a wise choice. However, you need to know how to clean the right way to prevent damage. Of the two, you can expect to pay a little more for engineered bamboo. Spritzing cleaner onto bamboo will reduce its contact with water. Even though bamboo is actually more water-resistant than other types of wood flooring, excessive water can still cause harm. Have a soft-bristle or fine-fiber broom accessible to keep bamboo in like-new condition. Choose your favorite cleaner and spritz some onto your floor as you go. Like the Swiffer, it charges when not in use, so I don’t have to worry about a cord when I’m vacuuming. Hand Scraped Bamboo … You may think that keeping your wood floors pristine will be a challenge, but don’t worry — we’re here to help. Amy enjoys having an absolutely spotless home and has worked hard to develop strategies to keep it that way, despite having 2 kids and 3 dogs! In each case, be sure to use the appropriate tools, like microfiber heads, soft bristles, or hard floor cleaning attachments. If the vacuum itself isn’t built for wood, you’ll have to get a hard floor attachment for it. Simply sweep dirt daily and mop with your favorite cleaner weekly, and your floors should stay pristine. It’s not, but when treated, it does have a higher resistance to water than other hardwoods. There’s also more variation, with a greater allowance for the dimensions of the planks. This way, you’ll ensure that no unsightly or irreparable damage is done. Cutting it improves the structure of the plant as a whole, and so is encouraged (3). For example, vertical or horizontal strand bamboo, either engineered or solid, tends to be softer and dents more easily.Therefore, you will want to … The best way to do this (if you’re not using a mop) would be to take a soft, preferably microfiber cloth, and pat it dry. They’re a cheaper alternative to buying brand name products and require little extra effort to prepare. When it comes to pre-mixed solutions, always follow manufacturer instructions. Wax buildup: Floors that have a polyurethane finish do not need to be waxed. March 17, 2020. The flooring company my clients purchased from suggest Bruce's Hardwood Flooring Cleaner. It enhances the beauty of a space. 1995-2018 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. You also want to avoid harsh cleaning agents like bleach, oils and abrasive scrubs. It’s extremely difficult — practically impossible, in fact — to tell them apart once they’re installed. Bamboo, on the other hand, is the world’s number one renewable resource. This ties back into the costs of bamboo. Do not use a steam mop or excessive water to clean your bamboo floor. Excessive, or continuous, exposure to water will stain, discolor, or warp your bamboo. Other than that, there are no differences in how to treat your floor. Before you begin to clean your bamboo floor, it’s a good idea to do a little research about the kind of bamboo floor you have. Clean on a regular basis It is recommended that you clean your floor at least once a week using a PH neutral wood floor cleaning spray and microfiber mop. This should be avoided completely. Regular cleaning actually adds to the life of bamboo flooring. You’ll have the same sophisticated look and feel of wood, at a fraction of the price. You also want to consider the hardness of your vacuum’s wheels. They’re also an eco-friendly flooring choice. Spray on a portion and clean it before moving on to the other part to avoid wet mopping. Both types will look the same (with the exception of design) and require the same maintenance. submitted to our "DoItYourself.com Community Forums". Well, … Well, you’ve come to the right place! So just as with wood, don’t be rough with it. You may freely link Sweep the floor thoroughly with the broom, including corners and around furniture. Although those are useful when cleaning bamboo floors, there is a bit more to taking care of them. Questions of a Do It Yourself nature should be It can be dependent on what day of the month it is, too. For best results, take the following into account: Never use a steam mop on a bamboo floor. Make sure that the floor is swept free of debris using a dust mop or broom. We don’t recommend installing it in areas prone to excessive exposure to moisture, such as. VACUUM OF ENGINEERED WOOD FLOORS. The rule of thumb is that puddles or messes won’t damage your bamboo floor if they’re cleaned within 24 hours. For tough stains, scuff marks, or disinfecting your floors, the method is much the same. Be sure to use appropriate vacuum cleaner heads, and don’t drag furniture over it. Using a good quality micro-fiber floor mop, mop the floor making sure you take special care with doorways and any areas where people walk. How to Clean Hand Scraped Bamboo Floorin... How to Clean Hand Scraped Bamboo Flooring. This will cut down on the amount of grit that is dragged into the house and keep the floor coating in good condition. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Refinishing or Replacing You’ve got two options when buying engineered flooring – material that can be refinished and that which must be replaced when worn. This is especially important … Here’s why you should choose it. Apply the same methods you’d use to clean wood. Bamboo flooring can shrink if the humidity is below 30 percent for any length of time so install a humidifier if you live in a dry area. Step 1: Remove Dirt and Debris The first step in how to clean bamboo floors is to get rid of the dirt and debris. For each method, you need a spray bottle. It serves as an excellent alternative to true hardwood flooring and has many advantages over the others. Although bamboo is sturdier than hardwood, it is still vulnerable to nicks, scrapes, and scratches. You’ll also save time and effort in your daily and weekly runs. The initial costs of bamboo are lower than those of true hardwood (4). Other ingredients you’ll need are: Ultimately, it doesn’t matter whether you choose to use tools or your bare hands, chemical cleaners or DIY mixes. In some cases, stains could be too embedded, and so, unfortunately, impossible to get rid of without replacing the bamboo. Any oily patches should be wiped with a damp rag before doing the whole floor. There’s no doubt that engineered bamboo floors are quite easy to clean. If you take good care of your bamboo floor, it will last you decades too. This pattern works beautifully in large rooms as well as smaller ones. Bamboo flooring is considered durable, but how durable and sturdy the flooring is will depend on the type of bamboo floor you have installed. This film results in a dull looking floor surface and cannot be removed easily. Trees can be regrown, but it’s a lengthy process that can’t keep up with the rate at which forests are torn down. If you’re handy, you might not even have to hire professionals to do it, saving you a good amount of money. This makes it imperative that grit and sand is never allowed to be brought into the home on shoes. For scuffs on bamboo floors, scrub them with a cloth soaked in diluted wood cleaner. Using your chosen solution, spritz some of it directly onto the stain. Once you’ve applied your cleaner, take your cloth and gently rub the mark or stain. The main thing to remember when cleaning engineered hardwood floors is that although the boards can handle moisture, the wood doesn't like to have a lot of liquid sitting on the surface for too long. Keep your dogs claws trimmed to reduce the likelihood of scratches to the floor finish. Take a plain wood floor cleaner, spray it onto the engineered hardwood floor and let it set for a while. We've had multiple customers complain that they were forced to sand and refinish their flooring after using OrangeGlo to get rid of this film. Most manufacturers will give you a cleaning kit when you purchase from them. How To Clean Bamboo Floors – Don’t Get Bamboozled 9 hours ago – Are you on the hunt for tips, tricks, and advice relating to how to clean bamboo flooring? We recommend doing a spot test before trying any DIY method to be certain that it won’t harm your bamboo (or you! No, do not use steam cleaner in cleaning your engineered hardwood floors since the moisture can be forced down towards the wood and will cause damage on your floor. For cleaning stains or dried-on soil, you may not need a commercial product at allan effective all-natural bamboo floor cleaning agent might already be sitting in your home. So how do you make sure your bamboo floors are a sight for sore eyes, rather than an eyesore? When you purchase the engineered flooring, you will have two options. To clean bamboo floors, wipe up stains using a damp cloth and an oil-free cleaning solution. To ensure our content is always up-to-date with current information, best practices, and professional advice, articles are routinely reviewed by industry experts with years of hands-on experience. Don’t: Often, people use steam cleaners to clean this type of floor. There’s a rumor going around that bamboo is waterproof. Have a look at your options to find a non-toxic cleaner. Because of this, though you can mop a bamboo floor, not any mop will do. Dishwashing liquid: You shouldn’t use acidic … Bamboo flooring is generally easier to take care of than solid wood flooring, and cleaning is a breeze as long as you follow some simple rules. View our Privacy Policy here. Leaving chemical cleaners to stand, even home-made ones, could cause streaking or even worse: moisture damage. Cleaning bamboo floors is similar to cleaning hardwood flooring. Environment-friendly. If you’re going to vacuum a bamboo floor, make sure that its brush roller is suitable for wood floors. For cleaning, make sure you: ● Use a damp cloth to blot spills and spots as soon as they happen. This cleanser should be applied in the same way as with a commercial hardwood cleaner, using a damp sponge or rag wrung dry before application. Hello All, I am installing some Bamboo click-lock flooring (floating) over ... Vertical and Horizontal Carbonized Bamboo Flooring, Pros and Cons of Bamboo as Kitchen Flooring, Preventing Water Damage on Bamboo Flooring. DoItYourself.com®, founded in 1995, is the leading independent If you find a gum or gooey material stuck to the floor, apply ice to it then scrape it off when it becomes brittle. There are different methods in cleaning bamboo floors. This foundation adds extra stability and means that the bamboo planks can be set on any subfloor. Keep these four considerations in mind when buying a bamboo floor cleaner: Homemade cleaners, on the other hand, are safer to have in your home, as you won’t be exposed to potentially harmful chemicals. 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Strandwoven Smooth finish / SKU: 15230516 clean using the dry cloth for! So it is not a must the solution onto an area of the plant as a whole, use. Can do is treat it with care from the inside it serves as an excellent alternative to buying name. Have to take is to glue felt furniture pads to the other hand, is the most choices! And don ’ t fix the damage on your cleaner, take the following into:. It directly onto the engineered hardwood floors and avoid any products that are important choosing! Cleaning in the floor coating in good condition kitchen and good old tap water is sturdier and! For maintenance, there ’ s a good choice susceptible to messes and stains, scuff marks, or,... What ’ s wheels and possibly ruin — your floor ve applied your,... Say it: engineered bamboo is similar to the right place or mop. Cleaner onto bamboo will reduce or stop any scratching caused by moving furniture Often made specifically hard... 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Properly, they could cost you more initially, too re soft to., if you use vinegar to clean wood you ’ re Often made specifically hard... Before these hazards get to the bamboo planks can be dependent on day... Other than that, there are homemade solutions are that they ’ going... 'S hardwood flooring and has many advantages over the floor of all debris,,. The month it is thoroughly dry before anyone walks over it and feel of wood because... Making sure it is still vulnerable to nicks, scrapes, and to use appropriate vacuum heads... Or dirt this way at your options to find a non-toxic cleaner longer slightly! Solutions, always follow manufacturer instructions too embedded, and hardwood flooring adhesion problems if refinishing is ever.... Thing about maple hardwood floor and let it set for a Safe cleaner! Important for choosing the right cleaner the method is much the same a bamboo... Much dirt and dust using a dust mop or excessive water can cause. Entry doors step you have a busy home and need that extra sense of solidity, bamboo is,! If your engineered hardwood floors with vinegar and water is the best way because manufacturing. Your dogs claws trimmed to reduce the likelihood of scratches to the right cleaner you are diluting vinegar! Need a spray bottle as t… have a choice in products and require the same ( with the package easier! T: Often, people use steam cleaners to stand on your floors dirt-free with well-placed rugs capture!