How to deep clean hardwood floors

Give your hardwood floors a proper deep clean to remove built-up dirt and grime and keep them looking their best.

How to deep clean hardwood floors

Give your hardwood floors a proper deep clean to remove built-up dirt and grime and keep them looking their best.

As one of the largest and most-used surfaces in your home, your floors benefit from regular cleaning and occasional deep cleaning to tackle the dirt and buildup that everyday cleaning can leave behind.

Deep cleaning vs. regular cleaning

The term “deep clean” is used in lots of cleaning products and services, but it can be confusing to know what exactly it means. Regular cleaning is done to maintain a visible level of cleanliness. This type of cleaning is done on a surface level to remove dirt and grime.

Deep cleaning is a more focused cleaning that goes beyond the surface level and emphasizes loosening and removing heavy dirt buildup while focusing on the areas of the home often overlooked during a regular clean. It is typically done every few months and can be thought of as a “reset,” to get your home as clean as it was in it's original state.

Deep cleaning wood floors removes dirt and grime that regular cleaning may leave behind, such as dirt, dust and allergens that can get into seams and crevices of wood floors.

Extra protection: Deep cleaning helps clear away dirt and particles that can contribute to wear on a floor's finish. The finish is a protective top coat on wood floors and is the first line of defense against wear and tear. As it wears down, floors look duller over time.
Consider indoor air quality: When choosing products for use in your home, look for relevant third-party certifications. GREENGUARD certified products, for example, are tested to meet the certification programme's applicable standards for chemical emissions into indoor air
Maintenance savings: Proactive maintenance and deep cleaning can help protect your floors over time. Dirt and grit left on the floor can act as abrasives and contribute to wear on the finish. Using products that are specifically formulated for a wood floor can help minimise residue and keep floors looking their best.

Deep cleaning tools

To optimize your deep clean, be sure to have the right tools and cleaners.

Dry Mop/Vacuum for cleaning prep and removing the initial layer of dust and dirt. The Bona Microfiber Dusting Pad uses electrostatic action to pick up and lock away dust, dirt and pet hair. Use it daily to help reduce the risk of scratches.
Wet Mop with the sturdy and easy to use Bona Premium Spray Mop for Wood Floors. It's a ready-to-use, dries quickly and leaves behind nothing but a streak-free natural shine. Skip the traditional string mop and bucket to avoid spills, excessive water (that could be damaging) and extra work.
For extra deep cleaning power, use the Bona OxyPower Wood Floor Deep Cleaner that touts 3X the cleaning action, powered by hydrogen peroxide, and is specifically designed to remove heavy dirt build-up. It offers a deep clean for your wood floors without the extra effort.
When floors appear dull, use Bona Polish to fill in small scratches, boost shine and add a layer of protection.

5 easy steps to deep cleaning and maintaining beautiful floors

Now that you have all your tools, it's time to get to work! Remember that the length of time needed to deep clean wood floors is based on your regular cleaning routine. If you clean your wood floors daily, the deep cleaning process should be a breeze. Here’s what to remember when deep cleaning hardwood floors.

1. Remove dust

Get rid of dust with a dry mop and microfiber pad or a vacuum safe for wood floors. Be sure to clean in the direction of the floorboards.

2. Wet mop

Insert Bona refillable cleaner bottle into Spray Mop. Press it firmly into its socket. Attach the cleaning pad on the mop-head. Mist cleaner onto floor and wipe clean. On stubborn spots, rubber heel marks or sticky spills etc, spray cleaner directly onto spot and let work a few minutes before scrubbing and wiping off.

3. Address problem areas

Identify problem areas like tough stains, or buildup on or between the floorboards. A tennis ball can be used for safely getting out scuff marks and a putty knife is effective for in between floorboards or buildup on the floor’s surface.

4. Spot treat

For stubborn areas, use Bona OxyPower Wood Floor Deep Cleaner to help loosen heavy dirt buildup, tackle stuck-on messes and lift away stains. Its hydrogen peroxide-powered bubbling action provides extra cleaning power where your floors need it most

5. Polish when necessary

Bona Wood Floor Polish restores the natural shine to your wood floors, while offering protection against wear. The durable, urethane acrylic blend adds a protective layer and fills in micro scratches, improving the appearance of your floor. Use every 1-4 months, depending on traffic, to keep floors revitalised and looking new.

Save time with a trusted Bona Certified Craftsman

When your schedule feels overhwelming and you want to get the most rigorous cleaning for your floor, you can also hire a Bona Certified Craftsman to revive your floor with the Bona Power Scrubber and Bona Deep Clean Solution. Bona recommends doing this once of year or around the holidays to keep floors in tip top shape. Consider it a spa day for your floors!

Simple

No need to vacate your home – floors will be ready in a few hours
Cleans 500 sq. ft. in under one hour, so very convenient
Furniture can be replaced immediately after cleaning

Made for Your Home

Made specifically for hardwood floors
Low VOCs
GREENGUARD Children & Schools Certified

Smart

Affordable
Helps protect your hardwood floor investment
Keeps floors looking their best