Bamboo flooring has gained popularity in recent years. It is surprisingly durable and hard, similar to oak and maple. However, its water resistance is even better and bamboo floors are less susceptible to water damage than any other wood.
Bamboo floors, however, require regular cleaning and maintenance in order to look good and stay with you for many years. You should immediately wipe any liquids and spills in order to prevent them from staining the surface of your bamboo floor. Another important task is the regular dusting of the floor. Whenever mud and dirt are brought in, their little particles may scratch the bamboo and cause it to look dull and faded.
When it comes to thorough cleaning of the bamboo, the best natural solution to use is water and vinegar. Keep reading to learn how to properly do that.
Bamboo and hardwood floors require many of the same maintenance tasks, such as sweeping, vacuuming, dry mopping, and spot stain removal. A thing to be careful about is not to scratch the bamboo flooring or install it in damp or humid areas where it won’t perform nearly as well as a hardwood floor would. Bamboo flooring can have a life expectancy of 20 to 50 years if properly cared for.
Depending on the traffic in a room, the best way to clean bamboo flooring is to vacuum or mop it as needed. Daily cleaning may be appropriate for children’s play areas, hallways, or game rooms. Any spills should be cleaned up right away. Weekly microfiber damp mopping is recommended to refresh bamboo flooring. You can refinish bamboo flooring up to four times a year to fully regenerate it, depending on whether it’s solid or engineered bamboo.
Cleaning bamboo floors
- Wipe spills – As soon as anything spills on the bamboo floor, make sure you absorb it straight away. Use a microfiber cloth or a sponge. Once you get rid of the excess liquid, completely dry the area using a soft dry cloth.
- Mop or vacuum – Sweep up dirt and particulates with a soft-bristled broom, dust mop, or a vacuum with a felt head (rather than a beater bar or hard head). Place debris in a garbage bin.
- For stains – After sweeping or vacuuming, check for any stains or dried spills. Dampen a microfiber cloth lightly with water and rub it over the affected area to see if that is enough to remove it. If that doesn’t work, dampen the cloth with an approved hardwood cleaning solution. Rub the affected area gently to remove the stain or dried-on material. Wipe the area with a clean cloth dampened with water to remove any cleaning solution. Using a soft towel, dry the affected area.
- Mop the whole surface – In a bucket, dilute some commercial wood cleaner following the instructions. Dip a microfiber, or another soft mop, wring it out until it is just damp, and begin mopping the whole surface of the floor. If you use too much water, dry the floor with a soft dry towel.
- Deep cleaning your bamboo floors with a homemade solution – For removing stains or dried-on soil, you may not need a commercial product at all—an effective all-natural bamboo floor cleaning agent may already be in your home. You can safely clean the surface of your bamboo floors if you mix 1/4 cup of white vinegar into a liter of water. This cleanser should be applied in the same manner as a commercial hardwood cleaner, with a damp sponge or rag wrung until damp before use. Full-strength vinegar can damage the floor, so make sure you dilute it properly. Save this solution for when you need to remove a stain or do a thorough cleaning.
To get rid of scuff marks – Those can be tricky to get rid of but follow these tips and you should be good.
- Apply a bit of cleaning solution to a microfiber cloth – Choose a high-quality wood cleaner and apply a bit of it to a microfiber cloth.
- Gently scrub at the scuff marks – Begin rubbing at the stained area and with a bit of patience, the marks will disappear. Make sure you don’t use steel wool or any abrasive products or tools on your floor.
Maintenance tips for bamboo floors:
- When cleaning a bamboo floor, do not use a vacuum with a beater bar.
- Never soak the floor in water. It is best to use a damp, almost-dry mop.
- Never use steel wool or abrasive scouring powder on your bamboo floor.
- When caring for a bamboo floor, follow any manufacturer’s instructions. You should also be familiar with the warranty that came with the floor to avoid doing anything that could invalidate it.
- Request that visitors remove their shoes before entering your home.
- To prevent dirt from being tracked into the house, use doormats both inside and outside of entrances.
- Place area rugs in high-traffic areas and around sinks.
This will prevent dirt from tracking in and damage from spike heels.