Best Ways to Clean Hardwood Floors

Installing hardwood floors can be pricey. But don’t worry, the investment is well worth it — if you keep up with dirt and spills at least. Want the secret to keeping shiny hardwood floors? Here are three of the best methods.

Vacuum Weekly.

Vacuuming at least once a week can eliminate all that food and dust you leave behind. Just use the correct nozzle on your vacuum to prevent scratching your beautiful wood floors and to efficiently pick up every dirty particle.

Dust Frequently.

It’s also key to dust your hardwood floors frequently. Although vacuuming your hardwood can suck up food and dust bunnies, you still need to dust any tiny particles left behind after you vacuum.

Eliminate Spots and Spills — Immediately.

Rather than waiting it out, be sure to wipe up spots and spills immediately after an accident occurs. If you wait too long, you can risk discoloration or your floors warping. Be especially careful if you use a humidifier in the winter, as these devices can also cause warping. Keep them away from hardwood floors and wipe up any dampness after use.

For spot removal tips on how to clean everything in your home, click here.

Triple S is your ultimate source for carpet, drapery, upholstery, and tile cleaning. If you’re looking for more expert tips on how to keep your hardwood floors looking spotless, turn to our specialists. We are a family owned business with over 50 years of experience, ready to help you maximize your home’s cleanliness and comfort.

Triple S has three main plant locations:

Stamford Plant | 400 West Main Street

Norwalk Plant | 337 Westport Avenue

Stratford Plant | 1800 Stratford Avenue

Most Common Floor Stains in Winter

Floors look beautiful until something comes along and stains them. And even though you spend more time outdoors during the summer, the winter can actually cause more accidents. From picking up snow outside to spilling hot beverages, below are a few of the most common floor stains and how to get rid of them:

Mud is one of the most common stains during winter due to the slushy outdoors. To prevent mud from ruining your carpets and hardwood, lay out a mat by the front and back doors and take off your shoes before stepping inside. Also, wipe your furry friend's paws if you take them outside. And if you already have muddy floors, either wipe it up (if you have hardwood) or call a professional cleaning service (if you have carpet).

Salt is another common type of stain that not only messes up the look of your floors, but also eats away the finish on your wood. This also a result of the wintery outdoors. The solution? A mix of white vinegar and water. Wipe the floors if you walk around with your shoes on or have guests over.

Hot chocolate is comforting in winter, but can wreak havoc on your floors. Just imagine spilling chocolate on your white carpet during a cold winter night. Don’t panic - mix one teaspoon of white neutral detergent, one teaspoon of household ammonia plus a half cup of water. Then mix one third cup of household vinegar with water. Be sure to avoid mixing ammonia and bleach during this cleanup process.

Candle wax is a common stain when you light your home with candles during a power outage or on a freezing cold night. But if you apply a small amount of dry cleaning solvent or alcohol and one teaspoon of a mild liquid dishwashing detergent, you should be able to get rid of the mess in no time!

Triple S is your go-to source for all types of floor stains. Not only can we help you with spot removal, but we also offer professional carpet, drapery, and upholstery cleaning services. Contact our rug expert Steven DeMarco II at ext. 405 if you have questions about rug stains. We are a family owned business with over 50 years of experience and are here to help you restore fresh carpets no matter what the mess might be! 

Triple S has three main plant locations:

Stamford Plant | 400 West Main Street
Norwalk Plant | 337 Westport Avenue
Stratford Plant | 1800 Stratford Avenue