Can Steam Cleaners Safely Clean Hardwood Floors? Find Out Here!

Here is our conclusive response to this topic, which people ask frequently and a few times each week: Yes, steam cleaning hardwood floors is a great way to sterilize them, and as long as the operator employs the proper technique, it won’t harm the surface of the wood. Those with hardwood floors know how difficult and time-consuming it is to maintain them. So, do you want to know can steam cleaners be used on Hardwood Floors?

Of course, you require more moisture for hardwood floors. Due to the low water consumption and lack of chemical use, dry steam won’t harm the wood. It is the most natural and efficient way to clean any surface deep.

The heat from the steam won’t damage the finish if you use the heavy-duty rectangle floor tool along with your Dupray steam cleaner over a thick microfiber cloth. Your steam cleaner will not only save on cleaning time, but it will also significantly enhance the appearance of your wood floors!

When using a steam cleaner on hardwood floors, it’s essential to use the proper cleaning solution and avoid using too much water or getting the floors too wet. After using the steam cleaner, wipe up any leftover filth or cleaning agent with a clean, damp cloth. Allow the floors to air dry before putting furniture back in place or stepping on them.

Additionally, it would help if you used the attachments with the steam cleaner to target specific areas and pay extra attention to heavily soiled or stained areas. Before using the steam cleaner on the entire floor, it is advisable to test it in a small, concealed area. So, let’s know can steam cleaners be used on Hardwood Floors?

How to deep clean hardwood floors with a steam cleaner

Even though steam cleaning floors is simple, it’s crucial to prepare them correctly to prevent scuffing, warping, or discoloration.

1. Remove grit and dust from the floor before steam cleaning since these can harm the surface.
2. Although many steamers are made to run solely on water, if you use a cleaning solution in your steamer, make sure you choose one with a neutral pH.
3. Make sure that you seal the hardwood floors. Use the steamer sparingly on worn areas since the moisture may soak into the wood and cause it to distort.

Cleaning Method

To thoroughly steam clean your floor after removing any loose debris, food, and dust, follow these instructions:

1. Fill the steamer’s water canister with hot tap water, adding cleaning solution as necessary.
2. Before you begin cleaning your floor, make sure your filter is clean.
3. Set the canister in place and scald the water.
4. Moving the more spotless forward will let the steam out.
5. To allow the cleaning pad to remove dirt and grime, pull it back.
6. Repeat the process until the entire space is clean, starting in one corner and moving from one side to the other.

Do you want to know the difference between a steam cleaner and a clothes steamer. Well, you can use it easily. So, let’s move on the topic and let’s see the reasons to avoid steam cleaning on hardwood floors.

Reasons to avoid steam cleaning on hardwood floors

There are various reasons to avoid steam cleaning on hardwood, including:

Wood seams: The joints between the planks may not be completely impervious to moisture even after sealing the wood completely against it. Even though you originally seal the seams while using top sealers, because the wood groans, contracts, or groans due to use and weather, the seal invariably gets shattered, which allows moisture to seep down and attack the floor from beneath. Team cleaners also use a lot of water, which can cause the wood to absorb moisture. It can lead to cupping, buckling, or warping of the flooring.

Impact of steam: With hardwood, the steam creates a unique challenge. Water is a comparatively thick material. Contrarily, steam is incredibly lightweight and thin and may easily pass through even hairline cracks on a surface. It enables it to assault the floor from every exposed angle by moving down the side of hardwood boards or slipping up from below. The moisture after the vapor cools and condenses back into liquid water can harm the wood fibres. Unfinished hardwood floors are unsuitable for steam cleaning because the high heat and moisture can damage the wood.

Using steam can void the flooring’s warranty: A retailer’s or manufacturer’s warranty covers most hardwood flooring. It ensures the floor replacement if the material fails due to structural issues and specifies how long the floor should endure under regular use. These warranties frequently include explicit stipulations concerning which actions will lose their protection. Also, if you do not use the steam cleaner correctly, it can leave water stains on the floor. Steam cleaning can also cause discoloration of the hardwood, primarily if you use the wrong cleaning solution.

Alternative options for hardwood floor cleaning

Any hardwood cleaning solution that contains genuine cleaning agents is a safer choice. Specific components are designed to work with the water to prevent water from leaking through the seams. Additionally, quickly drying the floor will help to avoid any problems.

The most harmful aspect of steam cleaning is that it only uses water. You can’t use water to clean Hardwood Floors, despite how bizarre that sounds.

There are several alternative options for cleaning hardwood floors, including:

1. Dry cleaning: To remove dirt and debris from the floor, use a dry mop or microfiber cloth. It is a suitable alternative for a quick clean or to get rid of dust and small dirt particles.

2. Hardwood Floor Cleaning Solutions: – Developed hardwood floor cleaning solutions that are safe for hardwood floors.

3. Vinegar and water mixture: Cleaning hardwood floors using equal parts water and white vinegar can be safe and efficient. Use a mop or a towel to apply this solution, but thoroughly rinse the floor with clean water afterwards to eliminate any leftover cleaner.

4. Specialized cleaning tools for hardwood floors: Various tools specialize in hardwood floors. It would be best if you found the perfect tool for your floor. These devices efficiently clean and polish hardwood floors using cleaning agents and microfiber pads.

So, we hope that you don’t have any confusion regarding can steam cleaners be used on Hardwood Floors?

Conclusion

So, are you clear with can steam cleaners be used on Hardwood Floors?

If you use a steam cleaner, quickly dry the floor to prevent any unfavorable impacts. Steam cleaning is effective. Many customers would advocate for the widespread use of steamers. However, avoid steam cleaning if you’re dubious and err on caution. Initially, it could appear like a fantastic cleaning solution, but your hardwood floors might experience its wrath and warp with time.

 FAQ’s

Q: – What cleaning products should one not use on hardwood floors?

Some cleaning products you should not use on the floor because they cause damage or discoloration to the wood are- Ammonia, Wax-based products, vinegar and water solution, bleach, etc.

Q: – How often should you steam clean your floors?

Make steaming the floors one of your weekly household duties. You should do it more frequently if you have children, pets, or large gatherings.