Cleaning Light Oak Floors

Written by Lee Wyatt (last updated October 7, 2019)

Have you ever noticed how beautiful light oak floors can be? There is simply something heart warming about that beautiful honey colored grain that can warm almost everyone's hearts. Cleaning light oak floors though can be a time consuming, and tricky prospect if you don't know what you are doing. In large part, this is due to the fact that the lighter colored woods (such as light oak) will make any perceived imperfection to stick out like a sore thumb. However, cleaning light oak floors doesn't need to be all that difficult. Frankly, all you really need to do is follow these simple guidelines.

  • Sweep. When cleaning your wood floors, make sure that you always start off by sweeping them first. While oak is a fairly durable material, it can also be easily susceptible to damage. So when you are sweeping the floor, make sure that you are using a soft bristled broom, and that you are gentle while you are doing it. This will help you to not only get up the larger pieces of dirt and grime, but also keep you from accidentally damaging and scratching the floor.
  • Dust mop. At least once a week run a dust mop over your floor. This will do two different things. The first is that it will help get up a lot more of the dirt and grime that can accumulate on the floor than you may be able to get with a broom. The second is that it can help you to lightly buff the floor while you are cleaning.
  • Rubbing alcohol. For some stubborn stains, you can use a little bit of rubbing alcohol to remove them. Apply the rubbing alcohol to a soft clean rag (such as an old t-shirt), and then gently rub away at the stained area. Only use enough alcohol to dampen the shirt, but not soak it. The reason for this is that liquids can, and will, damage wood floors if you use too much. When you are rubbing, use a circular motion, and continue to do this until the spot has been removed. If you are hesitant about using rubbing alcohol, then you can use a mixture of a teaspoon of vinegar and 3/4 cup of warm water to get the same general effect.
  • Mineral spirits. Mineral spirits can work wonders to get most kinds of stains off of light oak floors. Use them in the same manner that you would with the rubbing alcohol or the vinegar and oil. Unless the manufacturer's directions specifically say otherwise, never pour the spirits directly ont eh wood or you may run the risk of discoloring or further staining the wood.
  • Buff the floor regularly. At least once a month, take the opportunity to buff and polish the wood floor. This will help to keep the wood in good condition, while also adding an extra layer of protection against any accidental damage or stains. Make sure that you use the correct type of polish though, since not all floors have the same kind of finish. Depending on if you have a wax, or polyurethane finish you will need to use a different polish. Always take a look at the label and ensure that you are using the correct type of polish, while also following the directions.

Author Bio

Lee Wyatt

Contributor of numerous Tips.Net articles, Lee Wyatt is quickly becoming a regular "Jack of all trades." He is currently an independent contractor specializing in writing and editing. Contact him today for all of your writing and editing needs! Click here to contact. ...

MORE FROM LEE

Cleaning Glass Top Stoves

Glass top stoves are wonderful appliances to have in the kitchen. Not only do they look great, but they also hold the ...

Discover More

Reining In Your Spending

Whether you are young or old, if you are not careful in your spending habits you can easily find yourself in a world of ...

Discover More

How to Read Your Electric Meter

Have you ever wondered how to read your electric meter? Well, it's not all that difficult, and you can even track your ...

Discover More

Tough Tools for Tough Cleaning Jobs O-Cel-O sponges and Scotch Brite scrubbers are truly a fashion-meets-function success story. The highly absorbent and durable sponges in this handy six-pack make quick work of tough cleaning problems in any kitchen, bathroom, or garage. Check out Scotch-Brite Heavy Duty Scrub Sponges today!

More Cleaning Tips

Cleaning Wood Floors

Wood floors are great and can make any home look better. If you don't keep those floors cleaned, however, you risk your ...

Discover More

Fixing "Smeary" Hardwood Floors

While wood putty can help you safely restore and preserve your hardwood floors, when it is not used correctly you can end ...

Discover More

Wood Floor Wax

Wood flooring is a beautiful and classy kind of floor covering. To bring out its beauty and shine, try using wax as part ...

Discover More
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in Cleaning Tips from Tips.Net. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

View most recent newsletter.

Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is 7 + 0?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)


Newest Tips
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in Cleaning Tips from Tips.Net. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

View the most recent newsletter.