Bamboo is a beautiful flooring option because of its rich wood-grain color and is made from a renewable resource. It’s also one of the most durable types of flooring and can withstand heavy foot traffic and spills year after year. Nonetheless, like any type of flooring, it will eventually show wear and tear without regular cleaning.
Cleaning bamboo floors isn’t as difficult as it may seem. You just need to know what chemicals to use and how to apply them. Cleaning it with the appropriate cleaners will keep them looking as good as when you first installed them.
Bamboo flooring needs proper care and maintenance to keep it looking good for years to come. Keep reading for tips on how to clean your bamboo floors for them to look their best!
Methods For Cleaning Your Bamboo Floors
It’s important to note that cleaning bamboo flooring can be done by one of the different types of cleaning. Although other types of bamboo flooring may use different cleaning methods, they are all meant to be cleaned. Whether you use mops, brooms, rags, brushes, these forms will all work together to clean the floors of your home or office.
There are two methods for cleaning bamboo flooring based on the cleaner used, including:
- Bamboo Floor Cleaning Solution: It is the most popular method for cleaning bamboo floors. Make sure to consider that the floor cleanser should be pH-neutral to preserve the finish on your floor. Anything that is excessively acidic or alkaline might cause harm to your floor.
Also, make certain you follow the instructions on the packaging. Some floor cleaners are concentrated and must be diluted before use; thus, it is preferable to dilute them with distilled water.
- Vinegar and Water Solution: Vinegar is a good option for cleaning bamboo flooring because of its antimicrobial properties. You can combine the white vinegar with water, but you should use it sparingly because the acidity of the vinegar will dull the finish over time with frequent usage.
To create the solution, mix a 1/4 cup white vinegar with a quart of water. You will get a solution that will allow you to clean the surface of your bamboo flooring safely. Make sure you dilute the vinegar properly since full-strength vinegar might harm the floor. This cleanser should be used in the same manner as a commercial floor cleaner.
Pro Tip: Keep this solution on hand if you need to remove a stain on your bamboo flooring.
Remove Dirt and Debris
Check for dirt and debris on your floor by using a fingernail or a flat-head screwdriver to brush away dust and grit on the floor surface. A microfiber dust mop is an excellent substitute for a bristle broom because it has a flexible microfiber head that attracts dirt like a magnet. It removes dirt and debris more effectively than a typical broom.
Also, you may use a vacuum which is the most common and quickest technique to remove dirt and grit from your floor. A decent vacuum cleaner may decrease your cleaning time in half. Make sure that you are using the right type of vacuum and adjusted to your environment.
If you have pets, make sure to close the pets’ access to the floor. Cleaning your flooring can also be challenging if you have a lot of dog or cat hair around the edges of the floor. One way to prevent this is to ensure that your vacuum has a soft drawcord.
Clean With a Cleaning Solution
To clean bamboo floors, use a cloth with your chosen flooring cleaner solution. Dampen a microfiber cloth lightly with water and massage it over the affected region. For the greatest effect, repeat the circular motions and rub them gently to remove the stain. For stain removal, avoid using hard brushes, scrubbers, or abrasive equipment.
If your stains are deeply embedded, it may take several treatments before you notice an improvement. But, stains may be so deeply ingrained that they already need to be replaced.
Pro Tip: Alternatively, you can soak a towel in a solution of water and dishwashing liquid and clean the floor with that instead of using a cleaner.
Mop Your Bamboo Floor
The cleaning should be followed by a clean, gently moist mop. Be sure to mop your bamboo floor with your water-based solution cleaner to clean off floors easily. Dampen a hardwood-specific mop and wring it out until it is barely moist. Then gently wring it in a circular motion.
After mop, let your floors dry before mopping again. If you go over the floor with a mop again, it will just make it slippery that you might slip and fall. Also, wipe the area with a clean towel dampened with water to remove any cleaning solution.
Pro Tip: Never soak the floor in water to avoid causing harm to your bamboo flooring. It is best to use a damp or almost dry mop.
Dry Your Bamboo Floor
After cleaning the surface, use a soft towel to dry clean the area. Also, allow air drying before reintroducing traffic to your bamboo floor.
It may sound simple, but keeping bamboo floors dry is one of the best things you can do to keep them looking their best. Bamboo is a natural product and needs moisture to grow. Nonetheless, bamboo floors can quickly become damaged if not dried properly.
How to Maintain a Natural Finish for Your Bamboo Floors
Bamboo is ideal for flooring because of its realistic wood finish and resistance. It can be a long-term investment if you use bamboo flooring, as it’s easy to install. Be sure to maintain your natural bamboo floors to extend the life of the flooring and ensure they’re always looking their best. Here’s how.
- Vacuum and sweep regularly. The most important thing you can do to clean bamboo floors is to sweep them regularly to prevent large particles from getting stuck in the cracks between the boards. If you’re going to use a vacuum cleaner, make sure it has a felt head rather than a hard head or beater bar.
- Wipe up spills as soon as possible. Wipe up spills with a delicate cloth that is barely moist to prevent the liquid from soaking into and penetrating the flooring.
- Place doormats to prevent outdoor debris from being tracked onto your flooring.
- Use furniture pads to prevent scratching on the surface. Underneath all chairs and other furniture, place colorfast felt or another soft padding.
- Control the climate. Excessive humidity over an extended time can induce swelling, while insufficient moisture might cause the bamboo to dry out or fracture.
What You Shouldn’t Do When Cleaning Bamboo Floors
For your bamboo flooring to last as long as possible, you should use quality cleaning products. If you don’t use quality cleaners, your flooring will eventually begin to wear off. Aside from that, here are the things you shouldn’t do when cleaning your bamboo flooring.
- Avoid using a vacuum with beater bars, as the bristles may damage the finish of the flooring.
- Don’t take your outside shoes to bamboo floors. Street shoes’ soles can collect tiny stones that damage flooring. Any gravel, mud, or wetness on your shoes’ bottoms might scrape and ruin your floor; thus, remove any outdoor footwear.
- Don’t rinse your floor with too much water to prevent deterioration of your bamboo flooring. Instead, use a damp mop.
- Avoid steam mops since the floor may absorb the steam and warp, deform, and swell as a result.
There you have it! You’ve just finished reading about how to clean bamboo floors effectively. Try these techniques for keeping and maintaining a natural sheen on your bamboo floors!
