Cleaning, washing and polishing parquet: guide 2023

Do you want to know how to clean your parquet without damaging it? Here are some tips to keep your wood floor looking like new.

Welcome to our complete guide on how to properly clean, wash and polish your wood floors in 2023! Well-maintained wood floors not only lend a sophisticated and elegant look to any home or office, they also last over time. Regular maintenance is required to keep them looking their best. In this guide, you will find many tips and tricks that will help you keep your wood floor looking as good as the day it was installed. We will cover topics such as cleaning tools and materials, dust cleaning techniques, washing options, the use of floor wax and more. Let’s begin!

Cleaning your wooden floor: how to treat it after laying

Your parquet has been laid and the work on site has been completed. How can you clean your parquet properly without risking damage?

Cleaning hardwood floors can be daunting without correct guidance, but proper preparation is essential for successful cleaning. To start with, carpets and other objects that are not part of the floor itself should be taken away from the areas to be cleaned. Make sure that there are no water-sensitive objects in the vicinity of the cleaning area, using protective covers or moving the objects completely. Vacuum with bristles suitable for parquet and remove all debris from the floor before continuing with a damp, well-wrung mop and a neutral wood floor cleaner for varnished or oiled floors, as appropriate. This will help remove dirt and dust particles that might escape normal mop cleaning. Finally, make sure you give the floors time to dry before putting the furniture back in place. By taking these measures in advance, you can ensure that your wood floors are clean and shiny!

Water on parquet: how to act

It is very important to remember that parquet flooring is not comparable to any other floor. While you may have been able to pour water on your previous floor in order to clean it, this practice is unthinkable with a wooden floor: by pouring water on a wooden floor, you risk making it swell due to absorption and creating mould!

Wood floor cleaners

Keeping the floors of your home or office clean is important for maintaining a pleasant and healthy atmosphere. There are different kinds of floor cleaners, but it’s important to know which ones to use and which ones to avoid. Some products contain bleach and harsh chemicals that may be effective for cleaning, but may affect the surface protection (varnish or oil) over time.

Milano Style – Mardegan Legno

The use of natural, environmentally friendly cleaning agents is advantageous because they are less likely to cause abrasion or discolouration on hard surfaces.In any case it is always essential to use a neutral product suitable for wood. Have you wondered whether vinegar is a good solution for maintaining your parquet? We recommend avoiding do-it-yourself solutions (for example vinegar or baking soda)! These solutions can have unpredictable results and compromise the parquet. We always recommend that you ask your parquet supplier for more information and advice, to ensure that you do not create damage that could be irreversible.

Choosing a floor cleaner suitable for your particular type of floor can provide better results in the long run, avoiding costly repair costs. 

Tips for cleaning hardwood floors

Keeping wood floors clean is essential to their longevity. To maintain them at their best, it is best to vacuum regularly with a hoover with bristles suitable for parquet or a broom to remove dust and debris. Secondly, use a microfiber or cotton cloth with warm water for everyday stains and minor household accidents.For thorough cleaning, simply wipe the surface with a damp, well-wrung cloth and dilute a neutral detergent for oiled or varnished wooden floors in water, as appropriate. To protect floors from further damage, apply a wax according to the manufacturer’s instructions, depending on use and footfall. Finally, to reduce wear and tear on hardwood floors, use strategically placed rugs. By keeping these tips in mind, you can ensure that your hardwood floor looks its best for years to come.

Parquet colours – Mardegan Legno

How to polish a parquet floor

Polishing a wooden floor can be a difficult task, but with the right supplies and knowledge, professional results can be achieved. To begin with, it is necessary to remove all dirt, dust and debris from the floor surface with a hoover with bristles suitable for parquet or a broom, as already mentioned. Next, apply a floor wax in a circular motion, as recommended by the manufacturer’s instructions. Pay close attention to any scratches to ensure they are addressed properly before polishing. After the product has had time to penetrate the wood, use a soft microfiber or cotton cloth with clean water to remove excess residue. Enjoy your freshly polished hardwood floors!

Check out Mardegan Legno’s projects to see our wooden floors in place!

Frequently asked questions about cleaning and maintaining parquet flooring

1. Can floor cleaning robots or steamers be used on parquet?

The answer is no. Floor-cleaning robots and steam cleaners are too aggressive for wooden floors, which need gentle and careful maintenance.

2. Can heeled shoes ruin parquet?

Obviously walking in stiletto heels on parquet will cause damage to the wooden floor. Our advice is to avoid stiletto heels and opt for slippers or even shoes for walking around the house.

3. Parquet and animals: a perfect combination or better to avoid?

Before deciding to install a wooden floor, anyone with pets should ask themselves whether their pet can coexist alongside the maintenance of a parquet floor… In terms of dog and cat urine, this must be cleaned up promptly in order to prevent the wood from absorbing the liquid, which has an extremely aggressive pH value, and becoming stained.

As we have seen, cleaning hardwood floors is a simple but important task, which can be done easily with the right tools and steps. From preventing the use of the wrong products to deep cleaning, anything is possible if you plan ahead and follow the suggested tips. Learning how to properly clean wood floors will help improve their durability and save you money in the long run. As tempting as it may be, don’t forget that polished wooden floors should only be waxed twice or three times a year. However, regular deep cleaning should be carried out between these two processes, as dust accumulations do not disappear completely after cleaning with simple detergents. The workflow makes it easier to keep track of the house cleaning routine and prioritise chores that need to be done regularly throughout the year, such as cleaning wooden floors!