Hardwood flooring is the prettiest and the costliest of them all. We might be fine with different types of tile, marble, or mosaic floors, but there is nothing that can give good competition to the hardwood floors. At least in terms of look. Hardwood floors have the most royal vibe to it. Things made of wood are, in any case, the most elegant but too pricey to be afforded by regular people.
Alternative Of Hardwood Floors
The closest in terms of the look of the hardwood floors are engineered hardwood floors. Just by the name, it is pretty evident that engineered hardwood floors have some processing gone in it. Engineered hardwood floors are not solid wood floors. They only look like hardwood floors but actually are not hardwood floors. There is a glaring difference. Woods are used to making engineered hardwood floors at a very less amount, like a veneer or bark. That is the reason why engineered hardwood floors are comparatively cheap.
Engineered Hardwood Floor And How To Clean It With Vinegar
What is Engineered hardwood floors?
Engineered hardwood floors are basically a thin layer of solid wood like oak and bamboo on top of the plywood. Due to the use of cost-friendly plywood as a base, the price cuts down to almost half. So, you have the core of plywood and a veneer of wood like bamboo, oak, or maple adhered.
Durability
Engineered doesn’t mean the floor would not last at all. It all depends on how thick the plank is. A thick, solid hardwood floor can last up to 80 years. And even if you could not use thicker planks and had to go with thinner ones, even that is going to last you two to three decades easily.
Refinishing
Not just that, just like hardwood floors, engineered hardwood floors can be refinished as many times it needs to. Not all types, though. But if you have used the most robust and durable woods and plywood, then you can. And if you couldn’t use the most durable ones, even then two or three times of refinishing can be easily done on engineered hardwood floors.
Maintenance
Now whatever we claim about its beauty, durability, need of refinishing, these are all dependent on how you are maintaining the flooring. Daily dusting is pretty much mandatory, not just to keep the floor clean but also for your own health. Instead of a broom and a dustpan, try the best vacuum for engineered hardwood floors. These are made to clean the engineered hardwood floors in mind. So, you can be assured of not being harsh on the floor and scratching it.
Other Factors
The environmental elements also play their part in keeping the floors’ sheen and lasting capability intact. The good part about hardwood floors is they withstand humidity well. So, it is not going to expand like hardwood floors.
As it withstands humidity well, it can hold its color well too. But there is a limit to what the product itself can do. The user must take the best care of the products also. With proper care, the shelf-life of every single thing is going to increase two to three folds. So, it would be best if you made some effort to keep your engineered hardwood floors beautiful and neat. You cannot be harsh on it like people are on tile floors.
Let’s talk about the easy and proper way to clean the engineered hardwood floors.
Cleaning Engineered Hardwood Floors with Vinegar and Water
Though it might sound strange, cleaning engineered hardwood floors with vinegar and water is the best way. Vinegar is not a product that is full of chemicals. It is natural and biodegradable. So it is not going to be harsh on the floor. It keeps the luster and finish of the floor intact. When you use vinegar to clean the floor, you will notice just with one wipe; the floors get a shiny vibe.
Vinegar: A Mild Disinfectant
Harsh chemicals can ruin the glossy finish of the floors. So, even if you are going to keep it clean, the engineered hardwood floors will look dull and dirty. So, keeping that shine intact is essential. It might not be as effective as chemical cleaners or disinfectants to kill germs and bacteria to a high percentage, but it is not too bad too. It can be a great alternative to safer bleach as well.
Vinegar And Water Ratio
Vinegar is an acidic liquid. It is going to react. So do not clean your engineered hardwood floors with vinegar directly. It needs to be diluted with water. The quantity of the water has to be almost a gallon for diluting a half cup of vinegar.
The Type
Apple cider, red wine, rice wine, these are all the sources of vinegar. These products are fermented, and from that, you get vinegar. Now, if you have noticed, these have colors in them. So, they might stain the engineered hardwood floors.
Even if they don’t stain, using these to clean your floor is going to be a matter of high cost. So, to be on the safe side in both cases, you can use white vinegar. White vinegar is not going to stain the floor, and it is low in price as well but does the same job to clean the floor as the expensive ones.
Process
The process of cleaning the engineered floors with vinegar is simple.
The first step is always dry mopping and dusting. The dirt and debris free floor is a must for wet mopping. Otherwise, it is going to be messy.
When you are done with the dry mopping, you can start wet mopping. You need a gallon of water for that. Mix half a cup of vinegar to that. Take the best mop possible. And you are ready to clean the floor.
Make sure to wring the mop to get rid of the excess water. Avoid super wet mop water dripping from it as it is going to result in a super damp floor.
Always mop following the direction of the floorboards. This is how it is going to be strick-free, and following a pattern will make the floor ultra clean.
There are many products you can use to clean your engineered hardwood floors. But if you want a natural, less harsh, and low price product, then the white vinegar with sufficient water is the best choice for you.
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