Many homeowners are choosing hardwood floors in their homes for a number of reasons. The rich texture and wood color variety adds to the beauty of any decor. Are you planning to live in your home a long time? Then hardwood durability will appeal to your budget. In our busy world we all seek low maintenance products, and hardwood floors deliver that important feature too.

When you choose the best cleaning products for your hardwood floors, they will add beauty and value to your home for many years.

First determine whether or not your floors are natural wood or a laminate (acrylic impregnated) like the popular brand, Pergo. Each surface will have a different finish such as water based urethanes, oil modified urethanes, conversion varnish or moisture cured urethanes and each may require a different type of cleaning product. It is the finish on the hardwood that determines the type of cleaner you should use. However, most standard hardwood floors being installed today can be safely cleaned by using any of the 'all surface' hardwood cleaners now on the market.

If your floors are new, and you actually know who manufactured them, it is a good idea to follow their cleaning guidelines. Why? Not following the cleaning rules under your warranty could void it should you damage the finish with an unapproved product.

For people who do not have any manufacturer information, play it safe and use cleaning products recommended for all types of hardwood flooring finishes.

Following are some of the most popular brands on the market. Any of them can be used directly on hardwood floors for overall cleaning or spot cleaning and no rinsing is required. They are recommended for all no-wax hardwood or laminate floors when you follow their directions for use. Prices vary depending upon the size of packaging; however, most 32 ounce spray bottles are priced at under $10.

> Armstrong Hardwood and Laminate Floor Cleaner

> Bona Professional Series: This professional strength, non-toxic, waterborne cleaner is environmentally safe.

> Earth Friendly Products Kleener: This cleaner is non-toxic, was not tested on animals, nor does it contain animal ingredients.

> Kahrs Hardwood Floor Cleaner: Non-toxic

> Mannington Ultra Clean: Non-toxic

For general care: regularly vacuum or mop your hardwood floor before using any of these cleaning products to pick up any loose dirt that could scratch the surface. Either lightly mist a small area of your flooring with the cleaning product, or spray it directly on a micro fiber or other mop cover. Finish one area completely before moving on to a new one.

When you determine the best cleaning product for your hardwood floors, and you get a handle on daily maintenance like scratches and spills, the shine on your hardwood floors also adds a luster to the property value on your home.

Learn more about this author, Diane Quinn .
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