How to Clean Bamboo Floors

From natural light shades to darker caramel hues, bamboo floors are very popular for the beauty they add to a room. Besides their aesthetic value, bamboo floors are esteemed as they are environment friendly. Bamboo plants can grow in as little as 3 to 5 years, and are low maintenance plants.

They are used for various purposes, including flooring. After having invested one's time in choosing and installing bamboo flooring, one would definitely want to see them without a scratch or dent for as long as possible. Following these simple tips on bamboo floor cleaning will help one take care of them on a daily basis.

• Like any wooden floor, bamboo floors are sensitive to excess moisture. Hence, use of excess water while cleaning the floor should be avoided.

A dry dust mop or a microfiber flat mop can be used daily to clean the bamboo floor. Even using a vacuum with a soft attachment would be a good option to keep a bamboo floor free of dirt and grit.

• In case of any liquid spills, or food being dropped on the floor, cleaning it with a soft cloth, dampened with water, would do the trick. However, one should be careful about squeezing any extra water out of the cloth.

• Wax, wood polishes, solvent cleaners or oil soap should never be used for cleaning bamboo floors. Using floor cleaners specifically made for bamboo floors is the safest option to ensure proper maintenance of such high quality floors.

• Avoid walking around with shoes, especially high-heeled shoes, as they are particularly damaging to bamboo floors. In case that can't be done, keep a mat outside the house to clean the shoes and remove it of the dirt and small stones that get stuck on the soles of the shoes. 

These stones might leave scratches on the bamboo floor that can't be removed later. In case there are pets in the house, their claws must be trimmed to avoid excess scratches or gouges.

• It is always wise to cover areas of the floors that are walked upon more, with mats or rugs. However, one should ensure that the rugs are of colorfast and non-scratch variety.

• Protective pads should be attached under the legs of all furniture. These pads should be cleaned regularly to keep them free of dust and dirt. Replacing them periodically would also help minimize any damage caused to the floor.

• Whenever any piece of furniture needs to be moved, it should be lifted and moved. Under no circumstances should furniture be dragged along the floor.

• Bamboo floors should not be exposed to prolonged periods of direct sunlight. This might cause the floor to lose color and ruin the look. Using blinds and curtains properly will not only enhance the look of the room, but will also protect the bamboo floor from fading.

• Placement of the rugs and furniture should be changed regularly. If the same area of the floor is covered for long it tends to retain its original shade whereas the other uncovered areas may become lighter in color. 

Also, moving furniture ensures that certain parts of the floors do not get dented because of the heavy weight of furniture being kept there for too long.

• Using a humidifier will help manage humidity levels in the room. It is advisable to maintain a 30 to 50% humidity level, as excess humidity may crack the planks, while low humidity can shrink the planks.

Flooring manufacturers usually include care and maintenance tips with their products. In case such recommendations are not available, it is always advisable to contact them to get information on cleaning bamboo floors. Besides that, following these simple dos and don'ts will help one maintain the beauty and the longevity of bamboo floors.