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How to Clean Bamboo Flooring

Bamboo floors, a tough yet attractive flooring option for your residential or commercial project, has the durability and strength you want when it comes to flooring that is meant to last. One of the simplest ways of being a partner in the long lasting nature of bamboo floors is regular cleaning. But, what are the best methods to cleaning bamboo floors, and what are some of the methods you may wish to avoid?

non-toxic hardwood floor finish

Bamboo floors have a lot to offer you. It has been established that the level of hardness natural bamboo represents is the equivalent of maple hardwood. Bamboo floors are a highly renewable resource from a harvesting standpoint, and they are extremely attractive, whether you choose the natural blonde color of bamboo floors or the darker, carbonized alternative. Even though you have spent less on a bamboo floor’s installation, when compared to the installation of some solid hardwood flooring, you will still wish to make sure that everything that your bamboo floor offers will endure for years. Luckily, another virtue of bamboo floors is how easy they are to keep clean. Here are some ideas to consider when approaching the care of bamboo floors each week.

How to Clean Bamboo and Keep it Clean

Soft Touch

Cleaning bamboo floors requires little more than a damp mop, or a padded cleaning head on your vacuum cleaner. With this soft-touch approach, you can easily pick up everyday dust and dirt, which can scratch the finish of the bamboo floor’s surface over time. Even though bamboo, due to its tropical origins, is used to a certain amount of moisture, it is still a good idea not to over-wet the floor. The mop you use should only be wet enough to be called “damp.” Spills should be wiped up as soon as they happen, and special attention should be given to any oily substances, such as asphalt residue from a driveway or road. These substances can cause stubborn stains. Items like steel wool or scouring powder should be avoided in order to preserve the bamboo floor’s finish which can be damaged by these methods. When it comes to keeping bamboo floors clean, the “soft touch” approach is a good rule of thumb.

Shoes and Mats

Another strategy to employ is the use of mats at the doors which lead outside in order to minimize the presence of abrasive materials on your bamboo floor’s finish. Things like pebbles, grains of sand, minute glass fragments and other forms of outdoor debris can cause unsightly scratching on the surface of the bamboo floor over a period of time. Remember also to keep your mats clean as well, to reduce the amount of dirt and grit which can be transferred from a mat.

Making sure that shoes are clean, or even leaving them at the door, will help to keep abrasive items from being tracked in from outdoors. If children have been playing in sand, if an adult has been working in a construction site where there are nails and wires, it is probably a good idea to have them remove their shoes or work boots to protect your bamboo floors, or indeed any floors, from unwanted materials that can damage the flooring surface. Even though your bamboo floor may have a hard, abrasion-resistant finish, common sense will tell you that damage can still occur from unreasonably hard treatment. As well, leaving shoes and boots at the door will also make housecleaning, or office cleaning, that much easier.

Cleaning Products for Bamboo Floors

Apart from a small amount water (enough to dampen your mop, not douse it), bamboo floors can often be maintained using many products you might consider for hardwood flooring, as long as it is of the non-alkaline variety and is not a wax. Floor wax will affect the finish of bamboo floors. Make sure that you use any cleaning agent according to the instructions as outlined by the manufacturer. Should you be uncertain as to which products are most appropriate for bamboo floors, it is always a good idea to seek advice from local flooring professionals or DIY retailers. When you do choose the right product, be sure that you spread it evenly over the bamboo floor’s surface, being careful not to let it pool and possibility cause damage in the long run.

Related Read: How to Clean Up Pet Messes from Bamboo

Bamboo floors offer homeowners or building managers a range of excellent features, from the durability of bamboo flooring to its uniquely attractive colors and patterns. With these few simple tips on cleaning bamboo floors, you’re able to take steps in ensuring that all of the features last for a long time.

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(14) Comments

  1. Will Finitec help KEEP my bamboo floor clean. I am 2nd owner & floor is always dull. Floor gets scuffed from ANY shoe sole & all else makes streaks–even water! Can’t keep it clean. It seems as if the finish is gone.

    • BuildDirect Product Expert Team

      Hi Bobbie,

      Sorry to hear about your flooring! I haven’t heard of Finitec myself so I can’t say whether it will help clean the floor. If it specifies that it can be used on bamboo you can try it on a small, inconspicuous spot to test and make sure it doesn’t harm the floor. Just make sure not to use too much moisture to clean the floor but it is not a water-resistant product and too much water will cause water damage. Please let us know if you have any other questions!

  2. Help!!! Need product available at local outlet to help my dull…visible streak…?residue…bamboolfloor…no longer shine???

  3. My problem is the same as the other lady had .I
    Mop my floor with what they sold me at Lumber Liquidators . It shows every shoe print and look dull . Mopped with very little water ,had the same problem. Also every thing that touches the floor seems to put a new dent or scratch on the floor .lm just not happy with my choice for wood floor. The floor has been down for 6months and I have tried everything. The floor never looks clean. If u can help me I really do appreciate it !!!

    • Proper cleaning of your floors is very important.

      Generally speaking the most effective way to clean the flooring is the simplest. Regular sweeping and the use of a lightly damp cloth wet only with water) is the most effective method. You do not want to use any special cleaning product, vinegar, etc., as repeated use can have a diverse affect on the appearance of the flooring.

      We also have a new cleaning product called Finitec. It’s a safe, professional, effective, innovative, original, standard-setter Cleaning Care System and perfect for your flooring you bought: //www.builddirect.com/Flooring-Accessories/Complete-Hardwood/Laminate-Floor-Care-Kit/ProductDisplay_10119_p1_10083058.aspx

      Key points to note are as follows:

      • Unique, cannot find this system anywhere else
      • Great value (Complete System with essentially 2 bottles of solution included)
      • Sturdy, well-made products which are dependable.

      You will never have to worry about buying a cleaning product locally and wondering if it will affect the finish of the flooring, as the Finitec Cleaning Kit is a high performance eco-friendly product that leaves no streaking or residue, completely cleaning your floors.

      This sells for $39.99 with free shipping. Let me know if you are interested.

  4. I just installed a little over 2200 sf of Bamboo flooring in my new home. Affter cleaning up all the excess glue, and mopping (using a little DISHWASHING liquid) the floor I’s DULL looking. It also shows shoe prints. I don’t like the look. What can I do to make it look better? HELP !

  5. I have four dogs that at times forget where the doggy door is and pee in the house. How does the bamboo floor hold up compared to the laminate floor?

  6. I am having a bamboo floor installed and want to know if I can use a steam mop to clean it. Your information here doesn’t address this at all. Please advise.

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