
Are dark hardwood floors hard to maintain?
Dark hardwood floors are notoriously hard to keep clean and maintain, having a well-earned reputation for showing up every little scratch, smudge and speck of dust.
Are hardwood floors easy to clean?
Folks love hardwood floors not only for their look and durability, but also because they’re simple to clean—at least relative to carpet, tile, and many other surfaces. But different folks have different takes on the best way to clean hardwood flooring while guarding the gleam on their gorgeous wooden floors, which leaves many homeowners wondering …
Are dark hardwood floors and pets a bad idea?
As hinted at above, dark hardwood floors and pets is asking for trouble, continual pet hair and dander will need constant hoovering and dog claws are often a cause of noticeable scratches on dark wood. If you are planning to install dark hardwood floors then you are going to need some kind of decent cleaning schedule.
Will a vacuum cleaner damage hardwood floors?
While this is great for stirring dust from the nap of carpeting, it can scratch the polyurethane coating on your hardwood floor or — even worse — damage the actual wood. Fortunately, there are vacuum models that come without beater bars.

How do you keep dark wood floors clean?
Check out these tips for cleaning dark hardwood floors by Pro Floor TipsWear shoes or socks to minimize footprints.Invest in a quality vacuum cleaner.Purchase a quality dry dust mop.Get a good hardwood floor cleaner.Create and stick to a cleaning schedule.
Do dark wood floors show dirt?
Dirt and dust will show up more clearly on dark wood floors. A daily sweep with a dust mop can keep the floors cleaner. Have your family take off their shoes at the door so that less dirt and grime gets tracked in the house. Stick to a cleaning schedule.
What's better dark or light wood floors?
Long-lasting color: Its color makes dark hardwood prone to absorbing sunlight, while light hardwood reflects it. Over time, you'll find that your dark flooring results in less sun damage, retaining its dark sheen for longer.
What color hardwood floor shows the least dirt?
If you make the classic choice of wood for its durability, warmth, comfort on your feet and easy repairability, a light colored option such as pine or ash, or an even lighter peach-hued maple, will do a great job of hiding dust.
Do dark floors scratch easily?
Yes, and no. Technically, the color of the wood has no impact on how much the floor scratches. However, darker floors tend to show scratches, dirt, dents, footprints and imperfections more.
What flooring looks cleanest?
Hardwood Makes It Look Easy Not only are hardwood floors timeless and versatile, but they are also easy to clean. Most hardwood floors are sealed with a finish, meaning a good dusting or vacuuming, followed by dry mopping, is all you need to clear away residue and leave your hardwood floors gleaming.
What do dark floors do to a room?
Darker flooring offers an inviting feel and opens up a space. Whether you choose rich colours or softer dark colours, they both have their advantages when it comes to expanding the appearance of a room.
When should I use dark flooring?
Dark floors tend to work better in larger homes and homes with larger rooms and open floor plans. If you prefer dark floors and are concerned that your space will look too dark, consider going lighter in the painting and consider adding overhead lighting (or more light).
What is the most popular wood floor color?
Most Popular Hardwood Floor ColorsLight and Natural. ... Rustic Variation. ... Gray Undertones. ... Smooth and Light. ... Rich and Dark. ... Warm Red Tones. ... Classic Warmth. ... Rustic Taupe.More items...•
What type of floor is easiest to keep clean?
Vinyl flooringVinyl flooring is probably the easiest to clean out of all the options listed here and also one of the easiest to maintain. Also known as Cushion Floor, vinyl flooring is available at a good price and can take plenty of wear over the years, which is why many will come with a 15 year warrantee.
Is black flooring a good idea?
Smart, sophisticated and the perfect base for any décor, a black floor is a timeless classic. Whether you prefer solid and glossy, boldly patterned or partnered with white, black is a top choice underfoot, as these schemes show. One of a black floor's best roles is as a foil for fabulous accessories.
Do dark floors darken a room?
Dark-colored floors can make rooms seem darker and smaller. If a room doesn't receive a lot of natural light, a dark floor can make it appear gloomy and uninviting. When space is limited, as it often is in condos and apartments, dark floors can give the illusion of even less space.
Do light or dark wood floors Show more dirt?
Both dark and light floors work very well, and only you can choose which is best for you and your home. Dark floors tend to be more stylish and hide imperfections while light floors tend to show dirt less and last longer.
Is it hard to keep light wood floors clean?
As you consider light hardwood floors, remember that scratches, dust, and dirt are much harder to see on light-colored hardwood floors, making frequent cleaning less-necessary.
Should walls be darker than floor?
Many home experts agree that the floor color should be darker than the walls. The rule generally applies because lighter walls and a dark floor make the room seem larger. Most homeowners prefer a spacious looking interior. However, the rule can change with low ceilings.
Are black tile floors hard to keep clean?
Black tile is even harder to keep looking clean than dark hardwoods. Super white is also a pain...they start looking dingy quickly. Anything with a high gloss is a night mare regardless of black (horrible) or white (insane). Working with a dark grout will certainly help.
Can you soak a floor in water?
Don’t soak your floors with water. Ever. This is bad. Even if your floors are sealed. You don’t want them soaking wet. You’re going for damp here. You want enough wetness and moisture to clean off the dirt and glide the cloth around easily, but your floors don’t need a bath.
Is dark wood flooring hard to clean?
Understand that dark hardwood floors are inherently more challenging to clean. There are some things about dark wood floors that tend to make them more challenging to clean and care for. For example, they show more dirt than light wood floors, so footprints, dog hair, dust, and the like will show up more easily.
What is the best way to clean a floor?
An all in one mop like the Bona Spray mop is a good example of the best way to keep floors clean. 3. Dusting – Taking the surface layer of dust off your floors is something that can be done quickly and easily several times a week as needed. A Swiffer dust mop or similar is perfect for the task.
Is dark brown wood flooring out of style?
Dark brown hardwood floors in particular never seem to go out of fashion, they are always trendy and still in style. There’s something about the contrast between dark wood floors and bright, light walls, white kitchen cabinets, furnishing etc. that epitomize a sophisticated and upmarket style. We have heard many realtors say ...
Is dark wood hard to maintain?
Dark hardwood floors are notoriously hard to keep clean and maintain , having a well-earned reputation for showing up every little scratch, smudge and speck of dust. Homeowners try to get round the first problem of scratches by installing an extra hard dark wood like Brazilian Cherry, but this is to overlook the reality of all wood floors, which is that none of them are indestructible. Over time you are going to pick up some scrapes and nicks on your hardwood floors and while steps can be taken to avoid, repair or cover them up, these scratches are going to be far more noticeable against a dark background than they would on a light colored hardwood floor.
Do realtors stress dark hardwood floors?
We have heard many realtors say that show homes with spotless dark hardwood flooring are always very appealing to buyers, but they do stress that this is only the case when sensibly installed in a light and airy home, with complimentary light colors throughout to balance the darkness of the floors. Realtors also re-stress the point ...
How often should I clean hardwood floors?
Yes, even hardwood floors need a professional deep cleaning at least once a year. A deep cleaning will get the most stubborn dirt and any dirt deep between the floorboards. Over time dirt that is not caught with at-home cleaning will build up and need to be cleaned with professional equipment.
Can you wear shoes on hardwood floors?
While you should keep your outside shoes off of your feet when you are inside, it is a good idea to wear a pair of shoes or slippers designated just for indoor use. Many people don’t think of bare feet as a source of dirt on the floor, but the natural oils in your skin can leave footprints and are especially visible on a dark hardwood floor. Socks are great for preventing footprints as well, we especially love slipper socks.
What is the best look for hardwood floors?
Keeping Hardwood Floors Clean. Hardwood floors are always in style, now seemingly more so than ever. However, the ideal look for hardwood is polished and gleaming, not tired, trodden and scratched.
Can you clean hardwood floors on a regular basis?
That’s all there is to cleaning hardwood floors on a regular basis. It’s a quick and easy process that can keep your floors looking nice for years to come. Pining for some instructions on how to complete a detailed floor clean? Then you might want to check out this how-to guide for cleaning hardwood floors.
Can you use a robot to clean hardwood floors?
Alternatively, you can use a vacuuming robot for cleaning hardwood floors if you’re into adorable techy gadgets. It might be wise to forego the mopping phase, though, as these little electronic cleaning critters often use more liquid than hardwood can handle.
What is the best way to clean hardwood floors?
A damp (but not sopping) mop can also help keep a hardwood floor clean, provided you use the right cleaner (more on what not to use next). Most wood floor installers or manufacturers recommend cleaners that contain isopropyl alcohol, which dries quickly, and are available at home supply stores.
Why do people love hardwood floors?
Folks love hardwood floors not only for their look and durability, but also because they’re simple to clean—at least relative to carpet, tile, and many other surfaces. But different folks have different takes on the best way to clean hardwood flooring while guarding the gleam on their gorgeous wooden floors, which leaves many homeowners wondering ….
How to clean a floor without scratching?
To make your own solution for a monthly clean, add a capful of white vinegar to a gallon of water, which will help dissolve grease and grime on the floor , but not strip the finish. To remove shoe scuffs, rub marks with a tennis ball, which cleans without scratching the finish.
Can you clean wood floors with a steam mop?
Whatever you do, do not clean wood floors with a steam mop, Miller says. “Steam is horrible for wood floors. It opens the pores in woods and damages the finish, causing irreversible damage to any wood floor.”.
Is wood floor a good floor covering?
“Wood is probably the easiest floor covering to keep clean, but you have to use the right cleaning products,” says Miller. In fact, contrary to what you might think, he adds, “anything that says ‘polish’ or ‘shine’ indicates you’re adding a layer of something to the floor, and it’s not a protective coating.”
Do hardwood floors look dull?
Your floor might look shiny right after you’re done, but it will quickly smear and look dull (prompting you to clean your floors again). So when in doubt, stick with cleaners recommended by a hardwood floor specialist rather than what’s being hawked at your average grocery store.
