Hygienic Advantage of Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood flooring is a great investment, not only because it is long-lasting and adds value to your home, but also because it is better for your health. When compared to carpet, among other types of flooring, hardwood flooring is easier to clean and is a more hygienic flooring type. Hardwood flooring is less likely to collect dirt and grime and is generally low maintenance to clean. Continue reading to learn the ways hardwood flooring is a great investment for your health. 

Easier to Clean

• Harder for dirt to collect. Although there are certain hardwood planks that have wide grooves, most hardwood floors have less nooks and crannies for dirt and grime to hide in. Tile floor, for example, collects dirt in its grout, making it difficult to keep clean. 
• Compatibility of robotic vacuums. With the smoothness of hardwood floors and the lack of deep grooves, robotic vacuums are highly effective at cleaning dust, dirt and dander. Grooves in between the tiles can trap dirt that robotic vacuums can’t reach and the density of carpet hinders these vacuums from cleaning deep. 
• Low maintenance. Hardwood floors are a low maintenance flooring option. They don’t have grout that requires constant cleaning, like tile; they don’t collect dirt, grime and bacteria, like linoleum; and they don’t stain, like carpet. Hardwood floors are protected from dirt and damage with a sealant and are easy to sweep, mop and polish. 

Better Hygiene

• Doesn’t grab hold of dust, dirt, hair and dander. Unlike carpet, hardwood floors don’t harbor dust and allergen particles. Even with a thorough carpet cleaning, many dust and dirt particles are nearly impossible to get out. While dust and dirt can collect on hardwood floors, a simple sweep and mop can easily clean your floors. 
• Less opportunity for bacteria growth. Since food and spill can be easily cleaned up on hardwood floors compared to other floors, such as carpet, there are not as many opportunities for bacteria to grow. Food buried in carpet and spill left unattended can be a breeding ground for bacteria.

Even though hardwood floors are easier to clean and are more hygienic than other floors, cleaning and taking good care of your hardwood flooring is still important to keep it looking new and have it last a lifetime.

How to Clean Your Hardwood Floors

1. Sweep your floors. This method removes any dust, dirt or particles from the floor’s surface and prepares your floors to be mopped. When sweeping, be sure to use a soft-bristled broom and sweep with the grain, not against it.
2. Mop your floors. Mopping is a great way to remove any excess dust, dirt, oils and grime from your floors. The best way to mop your hardwood floors is to use a damp mop cloth (being cautious to not leave any standing water) and then quickly dry up any moisture on the wood’s surface.
3. Polish your floors. Use a recommended hardwood flooring cleaner or polisher. This adds an extra layer of protection against future spills and messes and makes cleaning easier. Be careful to not use an abrasive or chemical-based cleaner as it can cause damage to your floors by weakening the wood’s surface and removing any finishes or protective coatings. Also be cautious when applying cleaners and polishers to high-traffic areas as this can be a slip hazard to others. 

Need more reasons to invest in hardwood flooring? Stop by Zack Hardwood Flooring and one of our flooring professionals can help!