How To Clean Between Hardwood Floor Cracks?

Last Updated on October 15, 2023 by admin

Cleaning between your hardwood floor cracks is vital for keeping your home’s floors clean and in good condition. You will need a few basic supplies, including a vacuum cleaner and a soft-bristled brush.

Why Do Cracks Happen Between Hardwood Floors?

Cracks in the hardwood floor are common and can occur for various reasons. The most common cause of cracks appearing changes in temperature or humidity that cause the planks to expand and contract. This causes tension between the boards and leads to them separating, creating gaps at their ends. If your floor is not installed correctly, the gap could be exacerbated.

Poorly prepped subfloors or inefficient use of nails and glue are common causes of more significant gaps between boards. In addition, your floor may start to warp if exposed to excessive moisture over a long period. Proper care and maintenance can help to prevent cracks from forming or getting larger. It is also essential to address the issue immediately upon notice, as attempts can become larger and damage your flooring.

Tools needed

• Putty Knife
• Pieces of Dry Cloth
• Strong Shop Vacuum
• Bucket
• Wood Putty
• White Vinegar Solution
• Screwdriver

  

How To Clean Between Hardwood Floor Cracks?

Method 1:

Combine OxiClean with warm water: Put a scoop of OxiClean powder into a gallon of warm water and stir until dissolved. Fill your mop bucket with the solution and mop the floors. Be sure to pay extra attention to the cracks, as this mixture will help remove dirt, grime, and other debris that may have become lodged between the boards.

Waits until it dissolves in water: Wait a few minutes for the OxiClean to dissolve completely. This will give it enough time to create foam and react with any dirt or debris that built up in the cracks of your hardwood flooring.

Use a soft brush to clean between the cracks: After the OxiClean has dissolved, use a soft brush to scrub between your hardwood floorboards. The brush’s bristles should be gentle enough to avoid damaging or scratching the wood but strong enough to loosen and remove any dirt between the cracks.

Wipe with a damp mop: After scrubbing, use a damp mop to wipe away any remaining residue or dirt. Be sure to wring out that well so that excess water does not seep into your hardwood floor cracks.

Allow it to dry completely: Once you’ve finished cleaning, allow the floorboards and cracks to dry. This will ensure that no moisture is left behind, which can lead to mold and mildew growth.

Method 2: Clean between cracks with a heavy-duty vacuum

Fill a bucket with water: warm water is best, but you can use cold if needed. Add a few drops of dish soap or cleaning agent to the bucket and stir it with your hand until the soap has dissolved into the water.

Mix a small quantity of white vinegar into the water: White vinegar is an effective cleaning agent and deodorizer. Mix the vinegar thoroughly with the water before using it in your cleaning solution.

Dip mop in water: Use a mop designed for hardwood floors. Ensure it is wrung out well before dipping it into the cleaning solution.

Mop between floor cracks: Start at one end of the room and move the mop in long, overlapping strokes. This will help eliminate dirt and debris stuck between the floor cracks.

Dip the toothbrush into dish soap: You can also use a toothbrush to clean hardwood floor cracks. Dip the toothbrush into a small dish soap and water mixture bowl, then scrub the dirt and debris out of the cracks.

Use a vacuum cleaner: if all else fails, you can use a heavy-duty vacuum cleaner with an upholstery attachment to suck up dirt and debris between hardwood floor cracks. Make sure to move the vacuum slowly and carefully so you don’t scratch or damage the wood.

Clean gently between the cracks: Wear gloves when you are cleaning between floor cracks and use a gentle scrubbing motion to avoid scratches or damage. Be sure to rinse the mop often as you work so that any residual dirt is removed. Once you have finished, dry the area with a clean cloth.

FAQs

Are cracks between hardwood floors normal?

Yes, it is normal for a hardwood floor to have some degree of cracking between the planks. This is caused by the natural expansion and contraction that comes with temperature and humidity changes.

How to fix wood floors with gaps?

The best way to fix wood floors with gaps is by using a filler material. You can use either a premixed wood floor gap filler or putty, depending on the size and shape of the crack. Ensure to follow instructions carefully when applying the filling material, as the improper application may cause more damage to your floor. Additionally, some wood fillers may darken the wood, so you may want to test it in an inconspicuous area first.

Conclusion

Cleaning between hardwood floor cracks is essential to maintaining your floors’ beauty and condition. Regular vacuuming, dusting, sweeping, spot-cleaning, and deep cleaning are all ways to keep your floors looking their best. When it comes time for deep cleaning between the cracks, a vacuum attachment or crevice tool is the best way to get into those hard-to-reach spots and remove dirt, dust, and debris.