Can A Steam Mop Be Used On Engineered Hardwood Floors

Wet your mop with the cleaner and then wring.

Can a steam mop be used on engineered hardwood floors.

A steam cleaner by its very nature uses water heated to a very hot vapor to clean and disinfect the surface of a floor. Learn how to clean vinyl floors the right way. Can you steam clean engineered hardwood floors. Moisture can seep between the layers weakening the bond and permanently damaging the floors.

While a steam cleaner can be a useful tool for cleaning a carpet floor it should never be used on engineered hardwood. You can also use a commercial cleaning product purchased from a local store or online. 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. Just make sure that it specifically says it is for use on engineered hardwood flooring.

Either a rag mop or sponge mop works best. Water is the enemy of both solid and engineered hardwood floors alike. Using steam or other liquid cleaning methods can also cause a build up of mold and mildew perhaps leading to a musty smell as well as damage. Even engineered wood floors can be affected by using a steam mop.

Alternatives to the steam mop to clean hardwood floors. The steam can damage the wood surface by forcing water into the veneer and the top layer of hardwood. Avoid using steam mops on engineered hardwood floors. Hardwood is naturally a very absorbent material and exposure to water can cause it to plump warp twist and mold.

Though durable on the surface engineered hardwoods are bonded using adhesives and the steam cleaning can affect the quality of those adhesives. Once you ve selected your cleaner you can use a mop to apply it to your 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. If allowed to stand on the surface it can create spots and seep between boards causing the boards to swell.

That s true whether you have solid or engineered wood floors and for bamboo too. Never use a steam cleaner on your engineered hardwood floor. Make sure that you follow the instructions specific for the kind of flooring that you have. No do not use steam cleaner in cleaning your engineered hardwood floors since the moisture can be forced down towards the wood and will cause damage on your floor.