Can You Use A Steam Mop On Prefinished Hardwood Floors

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 prefinished hardwood floors.

Hardwood is naturally a very absorbent material and exposure to water can cause it to plump warp twist and mold. To mop your floors use a slightly damp dry mop or yarn mop with the flooring manufacturer s recommended liquid cleaner. However avoid using a steam mop on unsealed hardwoods as they re more vulnerable and easily damaged by excessive moisture. You may not notice problems after the first few uses on a hardwood.

Laminate flooring is made up of prefinished planks and the seams between the planks are not sealed. Sealed hardwood floors can withstand the moisture and heat from a steam mop and they clean really nicely with a streak free finish. If you prefer you can vacuum your floors on the hard wood setting. The nature of wood.

The mop pushes steam through cracks and crevices to force dirt out and the steam readily penetrates the joints between boards. To clean engineered hardwood floors sweep them daily with a broom or dust mop so you can pick up any dirt that s been tracked in. A steam cleaner by its very nature uses water heated to a very hot vapor to clean and disinfect the surface of a floor. Can you use a steam mop on hardwood floors lets talk about your wood floors.

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. 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. The seams can let steam reach the core of the flooring material which is highly vulnerable to moisture. Avoid using water and vinegar soap based cleaners wax or steam cleaners on your hardwood floor.

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. There is a huge variety of different woods you can use for flooring. They vary in density color some have close graining whilst others have a more open grain. Steam cleaners put heat and excessive water on your floor which can lead to cupping and long term damage.