Cleaning Hardwood Floors

[bhanson]

I moved into a house built in 1936 and it has some really old hardwood floors. This has been a rental and it has had what appears to be years and years of abuse without a good cleaning. That has also been cats and there is a distinct urine smell, although it is very faint now and I got most of it out only using a swiffer wet jet.

After some research it appears I need to steam clean the floors, so I bought a eureka enviro steamer which has pretty good reviews.

The floors are not perfectly flat and have spaces in between some of the boards, is it still safe to use the steam cleaner? I don't want to screw up the floor but I want to get it clean.

I intended on using the steam cleaner and then maybe using bleech or hydrogen peroxide, in no particular order.

I need some advice from hardwood owners.

 

[iGas]

I don't think you can do much for it except for replacing the boards or refinish it with a seal coat.

 

[DrPizza]

Bleach will bleach the wood if it soaks in. You could try some pet smell neutralizing products. I assume they react with cat urine to make some new compound that doesn't smell.

 

[Lotheron]

Steam is just water which typically evaporates fast enough not to cause damage. Just don't let any standing water around and you'll be fine.

<-- Uses a shark steam mop all the time on hardwood floors.

 

[bhanson]

Bleach will bleach the wood if it soaks in. You could try some pet smell neutralizing products. I assume they react with cat urine to make some new compound that doesn't smell.

Well, I would use a very diluted bleach solution, or would that still negatively affect the wood?

It's not just the cat smell, I haven't cleaned the walls yet and I'm assuming some smell is still coming from them. The floors in general just need to be cleaned very well.

I think it's natural for wood floors to separate as humidity changes, so it makes me wonder what everyone else does if you're not supposed to wet them at all.

 

[bhanson]

Steam is just water which typically evaporates fast enough not to cause damage. Just don't let any standing water around and you'll be fine.

<-- Uses a shark steam mop all the time on hardwood floors.

That's reassuring, I think I'm going to try the steam mop (I bought this one because apparently it heats up the water much better than the Shark).

PS. The weather sucks here today, eh? :hmm:

 

[Fritzo]

I use a Shark Steam mop and it works great. I have Pergo floors though, so it's not real wood, but it makes the floor very shiney without chemicals.

 

[CrazyAznDriver]

windex man! Windex with vinegar, will clean them nice and will not damage them. Don't soak them just a light spray and mop with a dry mop.

 

[Moonbeam]

http://www.viewpoints.com/Murphy-Oil-Soap-Original-Formula-review-7fbf3

 

[Fritzo]

windex man! Windex with vinegar, will clean them nice and will not damage them. Don't soak them just a light spray and mop with a dry mop.

This actually works well for wax buildup too.

 

[CrazyAznDriver]

http://www.viewpoints.com/Murphy-Oil-Soap-Original-Formula-review-7fbf3

Orange glo and Murphys are a fast way to fuck up your floors. They leave a nasty residue on them.

 

[techs]

Orange glo and Murphys are a fast way to fuck up your floors. They leave a nasty residue on them.

wwybywb?

 

[CrazyAznDriver]

wwybywb?

nice contribution I see how you get so many posts! :thumbsup: