Maintain and Clean Solid Wood Flooring Without Scratching It
Wood is a living material that requires specific care. Learn how to clean your parquet while nourishing and protecting it.
Recommended Materials
- Microfiber broom
- Liquid black soap
- Bucket of lukewarm water
- Soft mop
- Wax or oil (depending on finish)
Steps to follow
Step 1
The number one enemy of parquet is stagnant water. Cleaning must therefore always be done with minimal moisture. Imperatively start by sweeping or vacuuming (with the brush out to avoid scratching) to remove dust and abrasive grit.
Step 2
For routine washing, forget aggressive supermarket detergents that clog the wood. Use black soap: dilute a capful of liquid black soap in 5 liters of lukewarm water. Black soap cleans while slightly nourishing the wood thanks to its vegetable oil content.
Step 3
Dip your mop (or fringe broom) into the mixture and wring it out to the maximum. It should be barely damp. Mop in the direction of the wood grain to avoid transverse drying marks.
Step 4
Do not rinse with plenty of water. If you used the right dose of black soap, rinsing is not necessary and the protective film left by the soap is beneficial.
Step 5
In case of water stains or spilled liquid, sponge immediately. If a stain persists on oiled parquet, you can very lightly sand the area with fine-grit sandpaper and reapply a little oil locally.
Step 6
To restore shine to dull vitrified parquet, you can use a specific reviver once or twice a year. For waxed parquet, polishing with a wool cloth is often enough to restore its shine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use white vinegar on parquet ?
With great caution. Vinegar is acidic and can, over time, attack the varnish or wax and dull the wood. Use it only very diluted for specific stains, never pure.
How to erase superficial scratches ?
On waxed or oiled wood, rubbing a shelled walnut (the fruit) on the scratch can mask it thanks to the oil contained in the fruit. Otherwise, a filler wax of the wood's shade is ideal.
Precautions
- Never wash with plenty of water (dripping mop forbidden).
- Avoid stiletto heels that mark soft wood.
- Place felt pads under furniture legs.
