By Tony Carrick and Steffani Cameron and Bob Vila | Updated Feb 17, 2022 4:11 PM
We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Wide Bamboo Flooring
Thanks to a harvest time of as little as 5 years, bamboo is an environmentally sustainable, increasingly popular flooring choice. Its durability varies, depending on species and manufacturing processes: Natural solid bamboo is one tough customer, considered to be twice as hard as red oak, while carbonized or engineered bamboo flooring can be as much as 30 percent weaker than natural, and more susceptible to wear and tear.
Whichever type you choose, your bamboo floor will look great far longer if you learn how to clean and care for it properly. Protect your investment with these tips and techniques.
Have a soft-bristle or fine-fiber broom accessible to keep bamboo in like-new condition. Without regular sweeping, ideally once a day, gritty dirt and dust can scratch the floor’s surface. While it is safe to vacuum a bamboo floor, the vacuum must be equipped with a floor cleaning attachment or a hard floor setting to prevent damage. Avoid using standard vacuums, which have heavy wheels and rotating brushes that can cause scratches or dents.
Like other hardwood and laminate flooring, bamboo flooring and bamboo laminate flooring are susceptible to water damage, so it’s crucial to clean up spills promptly to prevent water from penetrating and damaging the wood fibers in the boards. This is especially true of carbonized bamboo flooring, which is subjected to extreme heat in order to create a rich, dark hue. As a result of its manufacturing process, carbonized bamboo lacks the strength of standard bamboo flooring.
Mop weekly, using a hardwood-rated cleaner like Bona or Murphy Oil Soap to maintain shine and protect the surface. Avoid ammonia-based cleaners as well as vinegar and other acidic cleaning agents that can discolor bamboo floors or harm the finish, making them more susceptible to other damage.
Note: If the manufacturer’s instructions specify dilution with water, take care not to over dilute the solution.
Be vigilant for stains and scuffs while you’re sweeping or vacuuming as they will likely require additional attention. Don’t attempt to remove stains or scuffs until all loose debris has been swept up. Otherwise, you may end up grinding loose dirt into the floor’s surface when you treat the scuffs or stains. (See below for detailed stain-removal instructions.)
Thoroughly wring out your mop to ensure that it’s just slightly damp so it won’t cause liquid to pool on the floor. Excessive moisture can get trapped in cracks between planks, where it can cause expansion, cupping, or buckling.
Resist the urge to manually dry the floor with a rag or towel as this will create swirl marks. Instead, let the floor air-dry, which should not take long. Once it’s dry, do not apply any finishes or waxes unless they are specifically recommended by the flooring manufacturer—doing so could stain or damage the flooring. Some manufacturers will even void the floor’s warranty if you use a finish or stain that it does not approve.
To protect your investment in your bamboo hardwood floor, it’s important that you clean up spills promptly and effectively and be vigilant about removing unsightly stains or scuffs. Ahead, learn the best way to clean bamboo floors without damaging them in the process.
Stave off damage from everyday accidents by sopping up any spills immediately with a soft, dry cloth. Once the spill is picked up, clean bamboo flooring with a fresh rag lightly dampened with water, and dry the area if any water remains.
If you’ve laid bamboo in a kitchen or bathroom, it’s highly recommended to place a rug near the sink or any other spots where spills or dampness are likely to occur. Just be sure the rug is made from a breathable material without a latex or rubber backing, which can discolor or damage the floor, especially if it is dark bamboo flooring.
Try to protect your bamboo flooring from stains, but when they do occur, the cleaning approach you use will depend on the source of the stain, the variety of bamboo, and whether the stain has affected the finish or has sunk into the wood. Using the wrong removal agent could worsen the problem.
Fortunately, the best cleaner for bamboo floors may already be sitting in your refrigerator or pantry. Some water stains or discolorations can be successfully treated with a dollop of real mayonnaise. Let it sit for at least 15 minutes, then wipe off and polish with a soft, clean rag. If the oil-rich mayo doesn’t do the trick, at least it shouldn’t make matters worse; however, various other “remedies” you might see online have the potential to harm bamboo flooring, so proceed cautiously.
If a stain resists your best efforts, take heart: Many bamboo floors can be refinished, so you may be able to eliminate the stain when the time comes to refinish the floor.
For scuff marks from heels, simply apply a bit of wood floor cleaner to a soft, dry rag (diluted as required) and gently rub the floor. Spot-dry when finished, and the floor should look as good as new.
While it’s important to clean your bamboo flooring regularly, you should also take these preventive measures to keep your bamboo looking beautiful for years to come.
By using the methods above, you can remove scuffs and safely clean up spills from your hardwood bamboo floors, returning them to their former glory. Remember to first do no harm when cleaning bamboo floors. Cleaning solutions, floor polishes, and other products that may be safe for other hardwood flooring types can permanently damage or stain bamboo flooring. With that in mind, use only cleaners and polishes expressly recommended by the flooring manufacturer.
If you’re wondering how to make bamboo floors shine or how many years a bamboo floor will last, then read on for answers.
Most floor manufacturers recommend using a bamboo-specific cleaner on bamboo floors. While the Swiffer WetJet may not damage the floors, it may leave an unsightly film or brush marks on the floor.
Because bamboo is harder than most other hardwoods, it’s extremely durable. For instance, carbonized bamboo flooring withstands intense heat during its manufacturing process. In general, bamboo is a durable flooring option that can last up to 50 years, if well maintained.
Yes. You should seal bamboo in the same manner as you would a hardwood floor.
Never wax a bamboo hardwood floor. Wax can leave a residue on the floor that makes the floor slippery. If you’re wondering how to make bamboo floors shine, simply run a damp mop over them after the cleaning is complete, being careful not to let water pool on the floor.
Bamboo floors can separate as a result of changes in humidity that occur with the passing seasons. Dry air in the wintertime can make bamboo shrink and contract, causing the planks to pull apart. Warm humid air during the summertime will cause the boards to soak up moisture and expand. Proper installation plays a role in preventing this from happening: As with other hardwood, it’s important to allow the wood planks to sit inside the house for a few days before installation so they stabilize. As well, wood floors will be less likely to expand or contract in a home that is climate controlled.
No. You should never attempt to steam-clean a bamboo floor. While bamboo floors are extremely durable, they are not waterproof. Water and steam can cause significant damage to a bamboo floor.
No. You should use only pH-balanced cleaners for bamboo flooring. Because vinegar is acidic, it can corrode and damage bamboo flooring.
Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.
Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service.
Carbonized Bamboo Flooring © 2023 Recurrent. All rights reserved.