Also avoid using a steam mop on any type of flooring that should not have hot water on it or on adhesive tiles with lifting corners.
Can you use a steam mop on prefinished hardwood floors.
However avoid using a steam mop on unsealed hardwoods as they re more vulnerable and easily damaged by excessive moisture.
Hardwood is naturally a very absorbent material and exposure to water can cause it to plump warp twist and mold.
A steam cleaner by its very nature uses water heated to a very hot vapor to clean and disinfect the surface of a floor.
The nature of wood.
While researching the use of steam mops on hardwood floors i came across article after article that cautioned against using a steam mop on hardwood floors.
Can you use a steam mop on hardwood floors lets talk about your wood floors.
Avoid using water and vinegar soap based cleaners wax or steam cleaners on your hardwood floor.
They vary in density color some have close graining whilst others have a more open grain.
One of the advantages of prefinished hardwood flooring is that the factory applied finish is baked on making it more durable and.
If you prefer you can vacuum your floors on the hard wood setting.
Steam cleaners put heat and excessive water on your floor which can lead to cupping and long term damage.
The seams can let steam reach the core of the flooring material which is highly vulnerable to moisture.
Some steam mop manufacturers such as shark and bissell may say you can use it on a sealed hardwood floor but stocki recommends against it because moisture could still possibly force itself into.
To mop your floors use a slightly damp dry mop or yarn mop with the flooring manufacturer s recommended liquid cleaner.
The mop pushes steam through cracks and crevices to force dirt out and the steam readily penetrates the joints between boards.
The premise is that despite mop manufacturer claims the steam from the mop moves through cracks in the floor more easily than water which penetrates below the sealer and the moisture.
There is a huge variety of different woods you can use for flooring.
How to clean and maintain engineered prefinished hardwood floors.
Laminate flooring is made up of prefinished planks and the seams between the planks are not sealed.
Over time vinegar and water will dull the floor s finish while soap or wax will leave a residue.