While a steam cleaner can be a useful tool for cleaning a carpet floor it should never be used on engineered hardwood.
Can i use steam to clean hardwood floors.
Sealed hardwood floors can withstand the moisture and heat from a steam mop and they clean really nicely with a streak free finish.
The indication is that the water when heated to an extremely hot vapor will not cause damage to the hardwood floors as long as they are properly sealed.
Avoid using water and vinegar soap based cleaners wax or steam cleaners on your hardwood floor.
The reason these claims are made is that these cleaners have a function that wipes up excess moisture as it moves along the floor absorbing the water and supposedly leaving the floor dry.
I d still never use a steam mop on unsealed wood floors.
And i m still a little apprehensive about using a steam mop on laminate flooring.
Using a steam mop on hardwood floors is undoubtedly riskier than simply cleaning with a dry cloth.
Over time vinegar and water will dull the floor s finish while soap or wax will leave a residue.
Today there are a number of companies that believe it is a good idea to steam clean hardwood floors with the use of their manufactured steam cleaners.
However avoid using a steam mop on unsealed hardwoods as they re more vulnerable and easily damaged by excessive moisture.
But for us the risk is worth the reward until we see real life examples indicating otherwise.
Never use a steam cleaner on your engineered hardwood floor.