How to Clean Hardwood Floors After Sanding

Hardwood floors are really popular in urban and rural areas alike, and they give an aesthetic look to the rooms. But like anything, hardwood floors also get dull and gloomy after some years and need a painting or sealant coating to regain their shine. But before that, one needs to sand the floor properly.

The traditional way to do that is by using a belt or drum sander. Once the sanding process is complete, one has to clean the sawdust and other messes off the floor. Since you have removed all the furniture from your room before sanding, this gives you a totally empty room to clean. So, you won’t have to worry about cleaning under the furnishings. We will show you the proper process of cleaning your hardwood floors after a sanding today.

Advantages of Sanding Hardwood Floors

Below we will explain why people should sand and refinish their hardwood floor once every 4-5 years.

• Most importantly, refinishing your hardwood floor will protect it from any weathered condition or any such damages.
• Sanding the hardwoods is a good way to get rid of bugs and germs that you couldn’t deep clean normally.
• It increases the life of the floor.
• If you want to increase the cost of your house, sanding will be a nice way to do so. It will make it look new again.
• After all, sanding will make your rooms look beautiful and remove all the stains. It will bring elegance to your house.

Various Cleaning Methods for Sanded Hardwood Floors

You can choose one from multiple methods of cleaning hardwood floors after sanding. To remove the sawdust, we have listed four ways that should help you in this project. Keep in mind that you must not apply any water or liquid chemical on the sanded floor. As the sanded floor has its protective cover removed, the liquid may end up damaging or staining the surface. Also, wear protective gloves, goggles, and masks before the cleaning. With that being out of the way, let’s move on to the cleaning procedures.

Sweeping Technique

The most traditional way of getting rid of dust is by sweeping them away. However, the issue here is that while sweeping, it can create a cloud of dust. It is not only harmful to your health but also can scatter the dust on the walls too.

For this reason, you should add any oil-based sweeping compound that can attract dust. As you sweep away, make sure to push the chemical too. This way, you can remove the aforementioned problem.

Vacuuming Method

What is the better way to get rid of dust than using a vacuum? You can use a traditional vacuum cleaner with powerful suction to suck up all the dust, including the stubborn messes. Keep in mind that using vacuums with a beater bar may end up damaging the sanded hardwood. So, make sure that the vacuum is capable of starting the motor without using the beater bar.

You can also use vacuums with roll-up brushes. They specialize in getting rid of tiny dust particles. Make sure that it is a lightweight vacuum, as you will have to carry it a lot. If you are getting a vacuum only for this work, you may want a low-cost one. A multifunctional and expensive vacuum cleaner may turn out to be a waste here. Click here to know about low budget vacuums which are under 50 dollars.

Dust Mopping Method

If you want to find a way to remove dust without scattering them or blowing them, using a microfiber mop is what you need to do. Microfiber mops naturally attract the dust and other messes from the floor and clump them up on the mop head. Not to mention, microfiber is very soft and gentle. So, there is no tension of scratching the surfaces.

We will advise you to get a microfiber mop with a long pole and light body, as you should also clean the walls, windows, and ceiling too. Clean them first before going for the floor.

The Usage of Mineral Spirits

No matter which method you use, there will definitely be many tiny particles left behind on the surfaces. Refinishing on them is not the ideal job. However, you cannot use water or any such liquids either, as it will damage the vulnerable hardwood. In this situation, you should use mineral spirit. They are non-water solvent that attracts and allows the dust to be lifted up by the rug.

One thing we should warn you about is not to use mineral spirits that you already used somewhere. Only use pure virgin ones. Use a clean rug to apply the mineral spirit on the floor and wipe gently. Doing this will make the dust attached to the rug, and thus, any leftover mess will be gone.

Do not worry about the mineral spirit damaging the floor, as it will evaporate into the air pretty quickly. Make sure to refinish the floor as soon as possible after using the solvent. Otherwise, the dust particles will form again on the surfaces from the air.

FAQ

• What Type of Vacuum Cleaner Would Be Best for Cleaning Sanded Hardwood?

It does not really matter that much. But make sure that the beater bar of an upright vacuum doesn’t damage the floor. As mentioned in the article, get a vacuum that doesn’t start the beater bar when starting the motor.

• How Should I Prepare the Hardwood Floor Before Sanding?

Firstly, remove all the furnishings from the rooms. Ensure that no nails or staples sticking out. If there is any layer of adhesive on the surfaces, remove that. We advise seeking the help of an expert for the sanding procedure.

Conclusion

Sanding hardwood is a necessary project and should be done the correct way for the best outcome. And removing the sawdust off the floor is a vital process in refinishing the hardwood. We highly advise you to wear the right protective gear during this work.

Try not to oversaturate your hardwood floors even after refinishing them. Applying too much water on wood and bamboo floors is never a good idea. If you are must use liquids to clean a hardwood floor, rinse the cloth properly before wiping the surfaces. Discover more cleaning guide on Rate My Cleaner website