Clean parquet

Parquet is one of the most versatile floors that exist, as it works in any space regardless of the decorative style, thanks to the natural appearance of wood. However, it is also one of the most expensive, so it is good to know the best way to clean parquet to keep it in good condition.

Parquet flooring, as we know it today, originated in France during the Renaissance period. Although initially wooden parquet had as its main objective to reduce the cost of building and maintaining marble floors, in the 17th century it reached a high level of refinement and complexity, so that people from the highest social strata practically they walked on works of art, for this reason, it continued to have the same exclusivity as the stone floor.

In addition, there are different species of wood that are used to make floors, so it is possible to choose between different shades. But parquet flooring has another purpose beyond its decorative capacity; It is a good way to combat the cold in harsh winters, since wood works as a good insulator, providing a much warmer environment inside houses. 

Nowadays, wooden flooring is quite common throughout Europe, however, cleaning it at a professional level still has a considerable cost, which is why the question of how to clean laminate flooring, parquet or a floating floor without spending too much is common. money. In this sense, we have compiled the most effective tricks to carry out the maintenance of the wooden floor, with the aim that you can carry out the work in a simple way, with your own hands and without spending too much money.

How to carry out the maintenance of the parquet correctly?

The first thing we should mention in this case is the importance of prevention. As a general rule, wooden floors should not be subjected to a lot of traffic, as this is aggressive for the surface. We must remember that it is a very delicate material against changes in temperature, humidity, scratches and stains. In addition, it must be taken into account that excessive maintenance can reduce the useful life of the parquet, in this sense, in most cases it is sufficient to clean it once a week. Let’s see the step by step below.

Clean the parquet surface with a vacuum cleaner

If you are wondering how to clean the parquet, we recommend you start by removing the dust from the surface. In this case, it is preferable to use a vacuum cleaner, since the broom generally has hard bristles that can leave marks on the wood, progressively damaging the finish of the floor. In addition, it is essential to pay attention to the accessory you use when vacuuming. Some devices have special nozzles for this type of delicate material.

The vacuum cleaner is also useful if you need to know how to remove oil from the floor. The most important thing is to act quickly, but the procedure is very simple, you just have to put a good amount of talcum powder on the grease stain so that it absorbs the oil. After 24 hours, you can remove the dust with the vacuum cleaner.

Remove dirt from the parquet with a damp mop

Scrubbing the parquet is an activity that requires certain care. The first thing is to choose a floor cleaner that has been specially prepared for wood and do a test on an inconspicuous area of ​​the parquet. This is the best way to avoid an unfavorable reaction of the floor, since some products can be counterproductive, especially if it is white parquet.

To mop the floor, you can add a small amount of cleaner to a bucket of water and submerge the mop. It is advisable to drain this utensil very well, since we do not need it wet, but rather moist. The parquet cleaning process is the same as for laminate flooring, it consists of gently passing over the entire surface of the parquet and then drying with a cotton cloth.

On the other hand, you can use a homemade floor cleaner based on essential oils that are more delicate with wood. Also, it is possible to clean parquet with white vinegar and soap powder, you only need 50 ml of the first and a tablespoon of the second, all diluted in 4 liters of water. There is the possibility of using baking soda to clean the scratches, you just have to sprinkle it on the marks and spray a mixture of water with vinegar, leave it to act for a few minutes and rinse with a clean, damp cloth.

Use the steamer to sanitize the wooden floor

Once you have removed the dust and dirt, it can be very convenient to apply steam to the parquet, as this allows you to eliminate viruses and bacteria that usually accumulate on the floor, it can also be convenient to scare away termites, moths and other insects that usually affect wood.

However, it must be done carefully to take full advantage of the heat without causing damage to the wood. Even if you have the best steam cleaner, you should use an accessory with a microfiber cloth that is thick enough to isolate the steam and absorb excess moisture, in this way, cleaning wooden floors is safer. 

The difference between buffing and polishing

If you are wondering how to polish parquet without stabbing, you should know that this is relatively simple using a parquet wax. In this case, it is not highly recommended to use homemade ingredients, because they are not very effective. If you have a floor polisher, power mop, or similar device, this will take a few minutes, while manually can take longer. It’s as simple as applying the product and rubbing. However, it should be noted that polishing substances can be harmful if used in excess, so they should be applied only once a month.

Now, to recover the whitish parquet due to the action of time and little maintenance, it will be necessary to carry out a job that has a certain complexity, since it is necessary to sand the surface and apply special products to bring the wood back to life and finally polish the surface. parquet. In this case, it is preferable to hire a professional technical service.