Floor Care Guide: Cleaning & Maintenance Instructions
You just bought some beautiful floors, and now you’re wondering how to keep them beautiful? Proper care and maintenance are the keys to success. Follow these tried-and-true tips, and your floors should stay looking as amazing as when they were first installed.
SOLID HARDWOOD FLOORING
There’s a reason that solid hardwood
has been the gold standard for centuries. With proper care, these floors can last generations and actually increase the value of your home! All they need is a bit of TLC from you to ensure their warmth and charm remains unsullied.
Daily Care:
✅ Sweep or dust mop daily to remove dirt and debris.
✅ Use a soft-bristle broom or microfiber mop.
✅ Vacuum with hard-floor settings (carpet beater bar
is a no-go).
✅ Wipe up spills as soon as possible.
Weekly Cleaning:
✅ Use a damp (not wet) mop with a hardwood-friendly cleaner like Bellawood Floor Cleaner.
✅ Avoid excessive water—moisture can cause warping and damage.
Long-Term Maintenance:
✅ Place felt pads under furniture legs to prevent scratches.
✅ Use area rugs in high-traffic zones to reduce wear.
✅ Keep indoor humidity (35-55%) to prevent expansion and contraction. A hygrometer will help you monitor your humidity levels.
What to Avoid:
❌ Steam mops and wet mopping.
❌ Harsh cleaners, ammonia, or wax-based products.
❌ High heels or pet nails scratching the surface.
ENGINEERED HARDWOOD FLOORING
In many ways, engineered hardwood is similar to its solid counterparts – same gorgeous looks and textures, for instance – but its layered construction makes it more stable and less sensitive to changes in humidity. Thus, your cleaning routine for these floors will be similar to solid hardwood ones, with a few tweaks to account for their unique design.
Daily & Weekly Care:
✅ Sweep, dust mop, or vacuum with a hardwood-safe attachment.
✅ Use a damp (not wet) mop with a hardwood-friendly cleaner like Bellawood Floor Cleaner.
Long-Term Maintenance:
✅ Clean spills immediately with a dry or slightly damp cloth.
✅ Protect floors with furniture pads and area rugs.
✅ Maintain room humidity to avoid wood expansion issues.
What to Avoid:
❌ Excessive moisture, wet mopping, and steam cleaning.
❌ Abrasive scrubbers or steel wool.
❌ Oil-based or wax cleaners that can leave residue.
LAMINATE FLOORING
With a durable wear layer and high-resolution imagery, laminate flooring can mimic the look of everything from rustic wood to polished stone – while staying scratch-, dent-, and water-resistant to boot. Cleaning these floors is kind of like caring for a smartphone – quick wipes and regular dusting will form the bulk of your routine.
Daily & Weekly Care:
✅ Sweep or vacuum regularly using a soft brush attachment.
✅ Clean with a damp mop and laminate-safe cleaner.
✅ Dry any excess moisture immediately.
Long-Term Maintenance:
✅ Use protective pads under furniture to prevent scratching.
✅ Keep pet nails trimmed to reduce scuffing.
✅ Use doormats to prevent dirt buildup.
What to Avoid:
❌ Wet mopping or steam cleaning—excess moisture can cause swelling.
❌ Abrasive cleaners or scouring pads.
❌ Wax, polish, or oil-based cleaning products.
VINYL FLOORING (LVP/LVT)
Vinyl flooring is waterproof – making it ideal for moisture-prone areas like kitchens and bathrooms – while also beautifully replicating the look of wood, stone, and tile. Spills and splashes clean easily, but you’ll want to stay consistent to ensure these floors stay pristine.
Daily & Weekly Care:
✅ Sweep or vacuum regularly to remove dirt and dust.
✅ Mop with a pH-neutral vinyl cleaner or warm water and mild dish soap.
Long-Term Maintenance:
✅ Use felt pads on furniture to prevent dents and scratches.
✅ Avoid dragging heavy furniture across the floor.
✅ Wipe up spills immediately to prevent staining.
What to Avoid:
❌ Steam mops—excessive heat can damage the surface.
❌ Ammonia-based cleaners, as they can cause discoloration.
❌ Wax or polish, which can create buildup.
BAMBOO FLOORING
Bamboo is the sustainable superstar of flooring. It grows to maturity in just 5-7 years (compared to 20+ years for many hardwood species) while offering comparable durability. Its range of looks
– in both traditional and strand-woven varieties – brings both contemporary and exotic flair, and with a bit of simple maintenance, it’ll keep going strong and looking great.
Daily & Weekly Care:
✅ Sweep or vacuum with a soft brush attachment.
✅ Use a slightly damp mop with a bamboo-safe floor cleaner like Bellawood Floor Cleaner.
Long-Term Maintenance:
✅ Keep indoor humidity levels between 40-60% to prevent cracking or warping.
✅ Use area rugs in high-traffic areas to minimize wear.
✅ Clean up spills immediately to prevent
water damage.
What to Avoid:
❌ Excess moisture or standing water.
❌ Harsh chemicals, waxes, or vinegar-based cleaners.
❌ Dragging heavy furniture without protective pads.
HYBRID RESILIENT FLOORING
What happens when you combine the best
bits from a range of flooring types? Hybrid resilient – the future of flooring. With a rigid core and advanced wear layer, these planks can stand up to just about anything your lifestyle throws at them, but you’ll still need to follow a few basic care instructions to keep them at their best.
Daily & Weekly Care:
✅ Sweep or vacuum regularly to remove dirt and grit.
✅ Mop with a damp microfiber mop and a mild, pH-neutral cleaner.
Long-Term Maintenance:
✅ Use furniture protectors and felt pads.
✅ Wipe up spills immediately to prevent staining.
✅ Keep blinds or curtains closed in direct sunlight to prevent fading.
What to Avoid:
❌ Steam cleaning or excessive moisture.
❌ Abrasive cleaners or scrubbers.
❌ Rolling office chairs without protective mats.
General Floor Care Tips
for All Flooring Types
- Use Doormats: Place mats at entryways to reduce dirt and moisture tracking.
- Trim Pet Nails: Prevent scratches and scuffs from active pets.
- Rotate Rugs & Furniture: Prevent uneven fading and wear patterns.
- Clean Spills Immediately: Moisture can damage many flooring types if left too long.
- Avoid Dragging Furniture: Always lift instead of dragging to avoid scratches and dents.