What Is a Matte Finish on Hardwood Floors?
A matte finish is a thin-film coating that has no shine. Some people prefer this type of flooring because it provides elegance and beauty without having to worry about scratches, or any other surface damage from shoes, furniture legs, etc. However, just like with anything else in life there are pros and cons to every situation so we will let you know both sides of the argument below as well as how to care for your floors in order to get rid of all those marks!
Advantages of the matte finish hardwood floors:
- The matte finish provides a beautiful and elegant look to your floors.
- Matte finish hardwood floor is less susceptible to scratches, dust build-up, dirt accumulation (as long as you use the appropriate cleaning products), and surface damage from shoes, furniture legs etc.
- Such flooring can be used in many different areas of the home; it looks great in living rooms because of its soft feel underfoot.
Disadvantages of matte finish hardwood floors:
- It cannot withstand extreme heat or moisture since it will not protect against expansion or contraction due to changes in humidity levels.
- If any liquid spills on this type of flooring there could be discoloration issues if they are left untreated which may cause permanent damage depending on how deep the discoloration goes.
In order for your matte finish hardwood floors to stay beautiful in between cleanings, there are some things that will need regular attention. Let’s take a look at some tricks about how to clean matte finish hardwood floors.
How to Keep Matte Finish Hardwood Floors Clean
1. Daily Maintenance
Everyday maintenance is extremely important when it comes to matte finish hardwood floors. When you walk through the door or enter a room with this type of flooring, your shoes will track in dirt and dust from outside. This can cause permanent staining if not immediately cleaned up. Since there are no oils on these types of floors they do not have natural protection against soil so it needs to be taken care of right away! There are several different products that you should keep handy for this purpose; we recommend using microfiber mats at every entranceway as well as any other surface where people commonly engage such as kitchen counters etc. Additionally, use an oil absorbent product like Tidy Cats Pure Nature which has 100% natural plant extracts that neutralize odor and leave behind a beautiful clean scent. It can even be used on other surfaces such as mattresses, upholstery, etc. This product will help keep your floors looking fresh in between regular cleansings!
2. Weekly Maintenance
This type of flooring requires more frequent maintenance than traditional hardwood because it does not have the reinforced protection that oil finishes provide to protect against dirt accumulation and surface damage from scratches or shoes etc. At least once per week you should sweep or vacuum these types of areas; this is especially important when there are pets in the home so that any loose fur gets removed before it becomes embedded into the finish itself which happens much easier with matte finished flooring.
Some Tricks about How to Clean Your Perfect Matte-Finished Wood Floor
1. Use Perfect Vacuum Cleaner
The best thing you can do for any floor is using a great quality vacuum cleaner with good suction power and plenty of tools for everyday cleaning. To keep your hardwood floors looking good, you should consider investing in a vacuum cleaner that has been designed for bare floors. They are specifically made to pick up fine particles without scratching or leaving behind any residue. You can also use the brush attachment on your upright to give it an extra deep clean and get rid of all the dirt trapped down between your floorboards!
2. Keep Your Shoes Off
One of the biggest enemies of hardwood flooring is dirt and grime. This means that anything you can do in order to keep your floors clean will help them stay beautiful for longer, this includes keeping shoes off as much as possible! The easiest way we have found to avoid tracking dirt into homes with matte finish wood floors has been using a shoe rack right by the front door which allows people to transition their shoes before they enter the home or room where there are bare floors. Also, protect your floor with rugs to save it from the excess entry of water from outdoor in rainy and snowy weather.
3. Use Furniture Pad Under Furniture
One of the biggest enemies to any flooring is furniture. When it comes to wood floors, you want to make sure that they are protected wherever possible as damage can happen very easily if not dealt with properly. One great way we have found for protecting your matte finished hardwood floors from heavy pieces like a sofa or dining room table is to use felt pads under each leg so there will be no scratches or marks left behind on how deep the discoloration goes.
4. Mop Floor Perfectly
There are different ways to clean a floor, but the most popular method is by using a mop. It doesn’t matter what type of material you choose – cotton or microfibers. The main thing here is that they should be soft and won’t cause any damage to your matte-finished hardwood floors. Mops can safely remove dust and dirt from bare flooring without leaving anything behind like with vacuuming so it’s an ideal choice for keeping them looking great! You just need a prepared solution of mild hot water with a cleaner and mop to keep your hardwood floor clean.
5. Use Perfect Floor Cleaner
It’s important to choose the right floor cleaner for your hardwood. Cleaners with strong chemicals can damage or discolor matte finishes while leaving residue behind that will attract dirt and cause problems in the future, so it is best to avoid them. Generally speaking, you should always opt for a water-based solution without any added fragrances as they tend to be very harsh on wood floors. If possible, use products specifically designed for bare flooring.
We recommend checking out some reviews online or asking a local retailer what they would suggest before buying but there are so many different options available that will work great with matte-finished wood floors that we’re confident you’ll find something suitable!
How to Clean Matte Finish Hardwood Floors Naturally
1. Use Warm Water and Vinegar Mix
The best way to keep your hardwood floors looking new is by using a water-based solution and microfiber mop. Unfortunately, most floor cleaners have chemicals that can discolor matte-finished wood so it’s important to avoid them if possible. However, we do know of one product that does not contain any harsh substances but still gets rid of dirt effectively – vinegar!
Mix equal parts warm water and white distilled vinegar in a bowl or bucket before moistening your mop head thoroughly then wringing out the excess liquid until damp (not soaked). Dip into the mixture and use it to mop flooring in small sections until the surface is clean. Rinse out the microfiber and repeat as necessary before drying completely with a towel or cloth.
2. Mop Floor with Water, Vinegar, and Essential Oil
Another great option for cleaning bare wood floors is a mixture of water, vinegar, and essential oil. It works best if you have a steam mop but is also effective with traditional mopping. Add three parts water to one part white distilled vinegar in a bowl or bucket then add your favorite essential oil and mix thoroughly until well combined. You can use any essential oil you like for this purpose but we recommend tea tree oil as it’s very effective at killing bacteria that might cause odors!
3. Use Vinegar and Vegetable Oil Mix
Mix equal parts white distilled vinegar and vegetable oil in a bowl or bucket then moisten your mop head thoroughly before wringing out the excess liquid until damp (not soaked). Dip into the mixture and use it to mop flooring in small sections until clean. If you don’t have any vegetable oil, olive oil will work great instead! Just remember that if you’re using this method on unfinished wood floors, there’s no need to rinse after cleaning so just let them air dry for best results.
4. Use Plant Liquid Soap, Vinegar and Water Mixture
Mix equal parts white distilled vinegar and water in a bowl or bucket and plant liquid soap then moisten your mop head thoroughly before wringing out the excess liquid until damp (not soaked). Dip into the mixture and use it to mop flooring in small sections until clean.
If you don’t have any plant-based soap, degreasing dishwashing liquid will work great instead! Just remember that if you’re using this method on unfinished wood floors, there’s no need to rinse after cleaning so just let them air dry for best results.
You can also add one tablespoon of lemon juice per gallon of solution to boost antibacterial properties while neutralizing odors at the same time! Lemon is perfect for keeping matte finish hardwood looking fresh without leaving a strong scent behind.
How to Remove Stain From Matte Finish Wood Flooring
Stain on wood floors can be very difficult to remove. Use a small amount of dishwashing liquid with warm water then wipe the surface down and let it sit for 15 minutes before mopping as usual. If you’re dealing with tough stains, we recommend using a mixture of two parts hydrogen peroxide and one part vinegar instead or even stronger cleaning products such as bleach (but make sure not to leave them sitting overnight). Test any cleaner in an inconspicuous area first by wiping some onto the flooring then checking back after 24 hours – if there’s no discoloration, chances are it will work great! Just remember that strong cleaners like this should never be used directly on unfinished hardwood floors so always test in an isolated area first before using in full.
We hope this blog post has been helpful for those of you who were unsure how exactly to go about cleaning your matte finish hardwood floors. Regardless of which type of cleaner is right for your needs, it’s important that you never apply too much pressure when using them as this could potentially cause irreparable damage over time even if they look perfectly fine on the surface – be gentle with all hardwood flooring and they’ll last you for years to come!
