TOP 15 of the best products for cleaning parquet at home
The parquet gives the apartment a special chic and respectability. Such a coating will last a long time and retain its appearance only with proper maintenance of the material. The process of cleaning the parquet has a number of difficulties and features that housewives should be aware of. Consider the methods and means used to clean the parquet, how to properly remove stains, renew the coating and care for it.
What is
The first floors, carved from beautifully selected wooden boards, appeared in Europe in the XIII-XIV centuries. Such a coating was made from several types of wood, creating patterns and ornaments on the floor using wood of different colors and structures. The individual parquet floors were tightly fitted to each other using special grooves.
Modern parquet has different structures and special types. Separate boards for the floor are always in demand, but mosaic, panel views and parquet boards are especially convenient for assembly and decoration.
Kinds
All types of parquet are distinguished by their natural composition. But installation methods, wear resistance and durability differ depending on the type, number of joints and layers.
Piece
Block parquet consists of individual planks with grooves and tenons for assembly. They allow you to assemble a single piece of fabric into a common floor structure. The size of the parts is 50x7.5 centimeters, the thickness is 1.5-2.2 centimeters.
Such parquet is durable, adapts to different designs and is easy to repair.
Mosaic
The mosaic type, or composition, consists of shields (side size - 40 or 60 centimeters), with the help of which exquisite patterns are collected. Shields differ in the type of edges, options for fastening to each other. Under this type of parquet, you can make an insulating layer on the floor.
Shieldova
Two-layer parquet, consisting of a fiberboard or plank covering and a decorative top made of small hardwood planks. The shield has a significant size - sometimes up to 80x80 centimeters.
Parquet board
The main difference is that the board contains 3 layers of wood, the middle part is positioned so that the fibers are perpendicular to the top and bottom layers. This gives the parquet board strength and durability. It is convenient to lay this material on the floor and dismantle it.
The main causes of pollution
A number of reasons have a negative impact on the condition of the parquet.Ordinary dirt is absorbed into the wood, gets into the cracks, breaks the structure and spoils the appearance.
Humidity
Wood absorbs moisture from the air, spilled liquids on the floor. Due to this, spots appear, color changes. Water attracts other contaminants - dust, debris.
Pets
The ubiquitous animals scratch the ground with their claws, drag greasy food and favorite toys across the floor. The most badly behaved can urinate on the floor. The damage caused to the floor by pets is generally the most important.
Furniture
Heavy furniture pushes through the wooden floor, dirt accumulates in bumps, which is difficult to remove. There are also traces on the ground due to the movement of furniture, wheelchairs, rocking chairs.
Shoes
Shoes with heels, as well as soles that leave traces of poor quality staining, contribute to the pollution of the parquet. Wet objects, bags, umbrellas thrown on the floor also stain the parquet. Moisture combined with dirt is detrimental to parquet.
How to clean a wooden floor
Dry cleaning is recommended for floors. You can remove the dust with a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush that will not scratch the floors. They wash the floor rarely, trying not to spill water or make puddles. This should only be done when needed, when the dirt is not being removed dry.
General cleaning is carried out once a year, in dry weather, when you can completely air the apartment and quickly dry the floor. Take a hygroscopic cloth for washing, which can be wrung out well so as not to leave excess water on the parquet.
Important: Handle the water tank with care so that no puddles of water collect around it on the floor while the mop is wet.
Swab
The parquet is mopped with a mop that has no sharp hard edges. The nozzle is a microfiber with high hygroscopicity, quickly absorbing moisture. Models with a mechanical wring are ideal, which immediately remove excess water.
Coaching
The first step in cleaning parquet is to wipe the floor with a damp cloth to remove dust and reveal dirt that cannot be easily removed.
remove stains
Even the cleanest owners have stains on the floor. Before proceeding with the removal, you need to understand what they were formed from in order to choose the right removal method.
Tea, coffee, juice
Remove drink stains with a towel dipped in baking soda solution.
Fat
Fresh grease stains are washed off with detergent, dissolving it well in water. Old spots show:
- Gasoline based thinner. Then wash with soapy water.
- Strongly cool the soil surface (using ice from the refrigerator), remove the layer of fat with a sharp knife. Then apply a clean cloth and iron with an iron.
- Sprinkle a layer of starch on the stain, cover with a thick cloth and iron several times.
Grease stains should be removed quickly so the stain does not penetrate deep into the wood.
Footprints ingested
The dark traces of the soles are erased with a stationery eraser.
Beauty products
Traces of makeup are removed with a towel soaked in an alcohol solution or warm water with the addition of detergent.
Ballpoint pen
The traces of ink are washed off with detergents previously diluted in water.A mild solution of vinegar or alcohol will also remove ballpoint pen stains from the floor.
Urine
When removing urine, it is necessary to not only remove the stain, but also get rid of the smell. Urine flows into the joints between the elements of the parquet, the puddles must be wiped off immediately so that the wood is not saturated. Dampen a cloth with an alcohol solution and wipe the floor. To remove the smell, leave the cloth moistened with alcohol on the floor until it dries.
Gum
Put any bag from the freezer on the sticky, smeared gum. When the gum hardens, carefully remove it with a knife.
Blood
Undried blood is washed off with a towel in cold water. Old stains are removed with ammonia.
tar or tar
These spots are first frozen, then the contamination is scraped off with a knife. Use a resin solvent if necessary.
the dishes
The parquet is washed with water at room temperature. Use rags that can be wrung out well. They begin to wash the floor from the walls, without pressing the mop, so that the water is not strongly absorbed. Some rules :
- Cleaning powders with abrasive components are not used.
- Do not use detergents to clean windows, dishes, only for parquet.
- Stains are cleaned in advance.
- The washcloth is always wrung out as much as possible.
Despite the parquet's aversion to water, the floor should be washed at least once every 2 weeks. The accumulation of dirt, the ingress of dirt into the cracks spoil the appearance of the coating.
Completion
Finish the wet cleaning by going over the floor with a semi-dry cloth to remove stains. Then the rooms are well ventilated to reduce humidity and dry the parquet.Only after that they put away the removed furniture, lay out the rugs and carpets.
washing machine vacuum cleaner
Even best vacuum cleaners do not fully collect water after cleaning, parquet contact with water for a long time.It is best not to use vacuum cleaners to clean parquet.
Dry cleaning
Dry cleaning is most preferable for parquet. Wipe the floor with a dry mop with soft nozzles, sweeping up dirt and dust. Many manufacturers of vacuum cleaners offer special models for dry cleaning parquet floors, equipped with soft brushes. Quality leaders are vacuum cleaners from Karcher, Bork.
Cleaning with a steam generator or a steam mop
Steam mops and steam generators are not used for most types of flooring. High pressure and hot steam are the enemy of delicate woods, the joints widen. White streaks appear on the varnish, the wood darkens.
Its use is allowed only for waterproof parquet, in which the joints are sealed with a sealant and the surface is not rubbed with wax.
Detergents
For washing the parquet, only special ready-made products of two groups are used - cleaning and protection-decoration.
Cleaning
Preparations with a cleaning effect remove stains, dissolve mud deposits. It is important to follow the recommended dosage to avoid damaging the wood.
Help
Restores the natural shine to the parquet, does not stain, preserves the integrity of the wood. Can be used for other coatings - laminate, linoleum. It is best to use gloves when washing.
P&G Professional Mr. Correct
One of the best floor cleaning products, suitable for cleaning wooden floors. Economical - one cap is enough for 5 liters of water.Removes traces of food, old grease, modeling clay from the floor. No special soaking or rubbing is required. You do not need to rinse with clean water. Pleasant smell, the product does not damage the hands.
Cinderella
For cleaning wooden floors by hand. Consumption - 1.5-2 caps per 5 liters. After use, the parquet acquires a neat look and shine. Does not require rinsing. The quality of the water does not matter, the product dissolves at any temperature and hardness.
emsal
The product is used to clean parquet floors with any coating - varnish, oil, wax. Emsal protects seams, adds shine and successfully removes all types of dirt.
oil soap
A product based on coconut soap has a protective effect, removes stains, cleans from all types of dirt. Not used on lacquer coatings.
Idronet
Water-based parquet protection agent. Used for varnished surfaces. An Italian preparation cleans and restores the appearance of worn floors.
parquetpro
Cleaning product for varnished wooden coverings in living quarters. Removes greasy, oily and other household contaminants. It is added to water when washing, it is also possible to apply the product directly to stains. Non-toxic, without chemical solvents.
Protective and decorative
A group of products that are only used on carefully cleaned floors. With the help of these preparations, they hide scratches and minor flaws, give the coating a shine, a fresh and well-groomed look. Another task of these funds is to create an invisible film on the floor, which prevents the destructive action of dirt and water.
Important: to extend the service life and improve the appearance of parquet, it is recommended to cover it with special compounds.
Parquet wax
Wax allows the wood to "breathe", but prevents water from absorbing into the wood - this is its main merit. Wax coatings extend the life of parquet, seal joints, add shine and cleanliness.
Liquid
Liquid wax is the easiest to apply. It is convenient for them to cover hard-to-reach places, it does not require dilution and preparation of the composition.
Solid
It is applied with a melt or requires special dilution during processing. It has different shades, depending on the density of the application.
Pasty
The paste does not spread, which is why this form is the most popular among parquet owners. Apply with a spatula or a thick brush.
Varnish
The lacquer coating protects the wood from external influences, preserving the decorative effect of the wood. Disadvantages - the presence of chemical ingredients in the composition, chips, turbidity. Wood coated with varnish loses its environmental friendliness.
Butter
Oil impregnation penetrates the wood, protecting it from moisture. With their help, they also change color - turn white or darken. When using sealants, the floor requires additional care, resumption of impregnation.
Polish
Floor care product containing wax, water and special polymers. Application - once a month.
Than rub to shine
The shine of the parquet is given by polishing by hand or machine using special means - polishes, wax, homemade compounds. Polishing is usually carried out no more than once a month.
Note: most owners of a parquet floor are guided more not by the polishing schedule, but by the deterioration of the appearance, since the condition of the coating depends on how they move through the rooms, how presence of animals and other factors. .
Folk recipes
Parquet floors are not a new invention, our distant ancestors were able to maintain unpainted wood in a shiny and neat condition. Home remedies are readily available and effective.
White clay
Clay, diluted to a fine slurry, will restore the parquet to a fresh, shiny appearance. The mixture is applied in a thin layer to the rubbed and damaged areas of the floor, left for 5-7 minutes. Then washed off with lukewarm water.
Starch
The dry starch removes oil contamination from the wood. It is poured over the stains, pressed by hand, covered with a thick cloth and carried out several times with a heated iron.
Ammonia
Ammonia dissolves many impurities. They wash away drink stains and old blood. Lightly moisten the cotton swab and apply to the stain without using excess product. Then washed with water and detergent.
How to upgrade at home
Floor renovation is required whenever parquet maintenance after several years of operation. It will restore freshness to the wood, relieve cracks and swelling. Consider several repair options.
Dyeing
Dirty old wood often needs to be painted so that the floor does not look sordid and unpresentable. A few tips for painting:
- it is better to choose a dark paint color - the start will be easier;
- before painting, the floor is washed, cleaned, and the gaps between the parquet floors are sealed, carefully dried;
- apply paint in a thin layer, immediately remove encrustations.
After painting, varnish and polish.
Sharpening
Sanding and sanding - removing a thin top layer of the wood to an undamaged level. It is best done with a special machine, although it is possible to do it by hand. They do this carefully on old floors, because the parquet boards are not thick, you have to make sure there is something to cut. After scraping, sanding is carried out using sandpaper or special tools.
putty
If the coating is dry, gaps have appeared between the boards, it is necessary to seal the cracks.Pre-brushes carefully remove debris and dust from the cracks, rinse and dry them.
It is important to choose a pigment and paint the putty in the color of the parquet so that the smeared spaces do not differ in tone. Apply the putty with a spatula, removing the remnants from the surface of the tree.
Toning
The stain renews, refreshes the floor, makes the patterns of the wood more contrasting, gives a different color. Before tinting, it is necessary to perform sanding and sanding in order to cut out the damaged layer of the floorboards and fill the cracks. All work should be carried out with high quality, because after staining, defects in the wood and gaps between parquet floors will become more noticeable.
Top coat
Once the restoration of the parquet is completed, the final treatment of the parquet is chosen. Waxes, polishes give a shine shine, suitable for large living rooms, or a soft matte shine, suitable for small cozy rooms. Note that with a mirror shine, dust, debris and any repair and cleaning defects are more visible.
Elimination of large cracks
If large gaps appear between the parquet floors, filling with mastic will not bring any benefit - the floor will look ugly.
The splitting method is used:
- warm up the glue on which the wooden boards are planted with a construction hair dryer;
- a spatula is inserted between the floors and the boards are shifted towards each other with light strokes;
- make a large space in the most inconspicuous part of the floor.
Then this hole is closed by inserting a narrow tape of the required width, greased with putty. All problem areas are corrected in this way.
Leveling of expanded parquet
The swelling of the parquet is due to the swelling of the wood due to humidity. Therefore, it is important to dry the floor quickly after being exposed to water. Which measures help:
- Dry the floor with a building hair dryer for 1 to 3 hours. They warm up the soil for 10 minutes, then take a break for the same amount. Then the heating is repeated.
- Next, a dense fabric, a sheet of dense plywood is placed on the parquet and loaded with heavy objects, pressing it against the floor. Resist a day.
- If the condition has improved, but has not returned to normal, repeat the heating with a hair dryer and the subsequent leveling of the parquet with a filler.
If the measures taken do not work, the flooring will have to be changed.
How to clean up after repair
Parquet soiled after repair is first cleaned of dust and debris with a vacuum cleaner. Then they wash the floor in the usual way with water at room temperature. Water-soluble paints, glue and other substances are washed off the parquet by rubbing the stains with a damp cloth and detergent.
Anything that has not been washed off the floor with water will need to be cleaned up using chemical methods.We use substances that are solvents for the paints used:
- White spirit;
- methyl alcohol;
- kerosene.
Wet paint can be wiped off with oven and microwave cleaners. Kerosene quickly removes oil contamination; to remove the unpleasant smell, rinse the floor with water and vinegar.
What cannot be used:
- scrub the floor with brushes and scrapers;
- fill with water to dissolve stains;
- strong solvents, abrasive powders.
If you need to carry out repairs in rooms with parquet, it is better to cover the floor in advance with a film, old linoleum, thick paper or a rag.
Maintenance tips and tricks
Preserving the exquisite appearance of high-quality wood, prolonging the trouble-free operation of parquet, you will contribute to compliance with the rules of maintenance:
- The main enemy of a wooden floor is water. Puddles are quickly removed from the cover, wet cleaning - no more than 2 weeks later.
- Overdrying of wood during winter heating leads to gaps and cracks. It is recommended to artificially maintain the air humidity at 40-60%.
- Hairpins and animal claws scratch and dent the wood. Animals need a manicure, shoes with pointed heels are removed at home.
- Special felt or rubber pads are placed on the furniture legs. Do not drag heavy furniture across the floor.
- Only use special cleaning products for parquet - floor cleaning cleaners.
- To facilitate the maintenance of the parquet, a coat of varnish helps to protect against humidity, which is applied by roller every 4 to 5 years.
- By polishing with polishes, the wax not only gives the floor shine and cleanliness, but also protects the wood from moisture. Perform every 1-2 months.
Every 5-8 years, the parquet must be renovated - repairing cracks, scraping and sanding. When renovating the floor, you can change the tone of the wood, giving the apartment a new look. The parquet for an apartment is chosen by people who love quality, natural and environmentally friendly materials. A chic floor often becomes the main decoration of the interior, attracting attention with expensive wood, wonderful patterns created by nature. Using modern care products, observing simple rules of operation, you can preserve the beauty of parquet for many years.