Parquet flooring is a particularly high-quality floor covering, primarily used in living rooms. The warmth and natural beauty of the wood characterize a good and durable parquet floor. Parquet floors are available in various wood species, allowing for individual customization to suit any interior design style. There are different parquet flooring styles, such as strip, mosaic, or herringbone parquet, each distinguished by its own surface treatments and maintenance requirements.
To ensure your parquet floor lasts for many years, regular maintenance is essential. Proper care is crucial for preserving the value and longevity of your flooring. With our tips, caring for your parquet should be easy, as we cover everything important for cleaning and maintaining parquet. For regular parquet maintenance, we recommend vacuuming once a week.
Introduction to parquet cleaning
A well-maintained parquet floor is not only visually stunning but also creates a pleasant atmosphere in any room. Whether in the living room, bedroom, dining room, or hallway, parquet lends your home a natural and warm ambiance. Compared to carpets or other floor coverings like laminate, parquet is relatively easy to care for, but cleaning and maintenance still require some attention. Proper parquet care begins with selecting suitable cleaning products and using a gentle cleaning method to protect the wood surface in the long term. Regular cleaning and maintenance of your parquet floor not only preserves its beautiful appearance but also extends its lifespan. This way, your parquet will remain a true eye-catcher for many years and contribute to a comfortable living environment.
Sweeping or vacuuming: what is the best way to clean parquet?
Parquet flooring is a natural wood floor that, while very elegant, is susceptible to scratches. You should be aware of this when removing light soiling from the parquet. To clean parquet properly, you should first remove dust and dirt with a vacuum cleaner or broom.
You can do this either with the help of a broom or by using a vacuum cleaner . The fine bristles of a broom are ideal for gently picking up dirt. The fibers of the broom or a microfiber cloth bind dirt and dust particularly effectively, ensuring a thorough yet gentle cleaning. Alternatively, you can use a vacuum cleaner, provided you attach a parquet brush.
When using a standard brush, however, there is a risk that small stones will quickly cause scratches, which are avoidable.
Tip: Ideally, you should sweep or vacuum the floor daily so that stones and crumbs cannot collect and thus contribute to the formation of scratches.
Cleaning parquet with water: Is it possible?
Since parquet flooring is made of wood fibers, water should be used very sparingly. Too much moisture and dampness can damage the wood floor, leading to swelling or warping. However, if you want to clean oiled parquet, this is perfectly possible with very little water. Wood floor soap gently cleans the floor and simultaneously conditions it with oils and fats, which is particularly important for oiled parquet.
Oil and wax create a more or less pronounced seal on the top layers, preventing water from penetrating deep into the parquet. Ideally, wring out the mop before using it. For optimal cleaning results, it’s recommended to use a bucket or even a two-bucket system to avoid contaminants in the cleaning water. This reduces the amount of water to the necessary minimum.
When cleaning the parquet, make sure you use a mild detergent. Use cleaning agents specifically designed for parquet and laminate flooring. When damp cleaning, take special care to ensure that no moisture penetrates the joints to avoid damaging the floor. Harsh cleaning agents can damage the surface or cause discoloration of the parquet floor.
Caution: Never use larger quantities of cleaning agent than directed. This is especially important when cleaning heavily soiled parquet flooring, as the increased concentration can cause damage. A mop is a suitable tool for gently damp-cleaning parquet floors.
The choice of cleaning agent also depends on the specific type of wooden floor and its surface treatment.
Stain removal: What to do about stubborn stains?
Stains on parquet or laminate flooring should be removed as quickly as possible to prevent them from penetrating the surface and leaving permanent marks. This is especially important with liquids like red wine, juice, or coffee: immediately dab the affected area with an absorbent cloth to prevent the liquid from soaking into the wood. Surface dirt can usually be removed with a slightly damp microfiber cloth. For stubborn stains, you can use a mild all-purpose cleaner or tried-and-tested home remedies – always remember to wipe in the direction of the wood grain. After treating the stain, it’s advisable to wipe the area with a little clean water and then rub it dry. This will keep your parquet or laminate flooring free of unsightly stains and preserve its natural beauty.
Oiled parquet flooring: Special considerations for cleaning and care
Oiled parquet flooring requires special cleaning and care to protect the surface and preserve the natural wood grain. When re-oiling, it’s important to choose the right color of maintenance oil to achieve an even finish. Never leave oil-soaked rags lying around, as they can spontaneously combust – dampen them with water and store them in an airtight metal container. Regular cleaning of oiled parquet is best done with a slightly damp cloth and special care products that won’t dry out the wood. Avoid using too much water to prevent surface damage. A humidifier can help maintain optimal humidity levels in the room, thus protecting the wood from drying out. With proper care, your oiled parquet flooring will remain beautiful and durable for many years to come.
Cleaning intervals: Which maintenance measures are necessary and when?
If you use the room daily, you should perform a superficial cleaning as often as possible. Regular use of suitable cleaning and care products is crucial to maintaining the optimal condition of your parquet flooring and protecting the surfaces in the long term. However, you only need a few minutes to vacuum dust or sweep up a few crumbs on the floor.
Wet cleaning is recommended about once a week. Wiping with a barely damp mop will easily remove stubborn dirt. The surfactants in the cleaning agent break down the surface structure of the water, allowing it to more easily lift dirt particles. Keep in mind that the surface treatment of your parquet flooring – whether oiled, waxed, or sealed – significantly influences the selection of suitable care products and cleaning methods.
After about three months, it’s a good idea to give your parquet floor additional care by using an oil refresher. This renews the oil or wax finish and significantly postpones the need for a complete re-oiling or sanding. Additionally, parquet polish can be used to refresh the shine and conceal minor scratches. A protective layer built up with suitable care products helps to effectively protect the parquet surface and increase the lifespan of your floor.
Only use household remedies for parquet cleaning with caution
Besides special cleaning agents intended for the care of a parquet floor, you can also use home remedies.
Please note, however, that you should always test the use of home remedies in an inconspicuous place (for example under the couch) to avoid staining.
Stubborn stains on the sealed parquet floor can be removed with two different household remedies:
- Rubbing alcohol: Apply a little rubbing alcohol to the dirty area of the floor and leave it to work for a few minutes. Then wipe off the residue with a cotton cloth, a squeegee or a fine microfibre cloth. Kitchen paper is also suitable for removing minor stains and disposing of the cloth immediately afterwards.
- Vinegar: Vinegar is a natural cleaner that has a very aggressive effect. However, to clean heavily soiled parquet, you can add a little vinegar to the mopping water or apply it in concentrated form to one area. However, make sure that the vinegar is not absorbed, as this can lead to discoloration of the parquet flooring.
There are some tried and tested tricks you can use to remove stains particularly effectively with these home remedies and keep your parquet flooring beautiful in the long term.
Please note that these methods are too aggressive for unsealed floors and are therefore not recommended.
Protective measures to maintain the parquet
If you want to minimize the work involved in cleaning the parquet, the following tips will help you:
- Use doormats. These are particularly useful in the entrance area to prevent stones and crumbs from being carried in.
- It is best to wear only slippers, socks or walk barefoot on the parquet floor.
- Fit all furniture with felt pads. This is especially important for chairs that are moved frequently. Felt pads under furniture provide effective protection for the parquet floor by preventing scratches and wear.
Comprehensive protection of the parquet flooring through appropriate measures on furniture is crucial to preserve the surface in the long term and avoid damage.
Parquet repair: Fix minor damage yourself
Minor damage to your parquet floor can often be easily repaired yourself. With a suitable repair kit, you can precisely repair scratches, dents, or small chips in the floor. A color chart helps you select the right shade for your parquet and achieve a harmonious result. Follow the enclosed instructions step by step to repair the damage professionally and avoid further damage to your parquet floor. For more extensive damage or if you are unsure, it is advisable to consult a professional to ensure your flooring shines like new again. This way, your parquet floor will remain beautiful and well-maintained for years to come.
Having the parquet cleaned: it can be that easy
If you don’t want to handle the maintenance of the parquet yourself, you can hire a qualified cleaning professional . After installation, a flooring installer typically takes care of the initial treatment and maintenance of the parquet to achieve optimal results. Feel free to use our portal at suuber.ch to quickly and easily find the ideal cleaning professional for your needs .
For a complete renovation of your parquet floor, involving sanding down the top layer and re-oiling or resealing, it’s best to hire a professional company, as this is not only time-consuming but also requires skilled handling of a sanding machine. It’s particularly important to treat the wood surface gently to prevent damage such as swelling or wear.
