Bamboo flooring is becoming increasingly popular. It’s more durable than hardwoods, such as oak and maple, but more sustainable due to its fast growth rate, which can be as short as five years.
The durability of bamboo can vary, depending on the manufacturing process, but overall it is a very durable product. Natural, solid bamboo is considered to be twice as hard as red oak, though some carbonized darkened bamboo flooring can be about 30 percent weaker than natural bamboo flooring.
Bamboo flooring is similar to standard hardwood flooring in its care and cleaning.
Cleaning & Maintaining Bamboo Flooring
Let’s take a deeper look at how you should care for your bamboo flooring.
Step 1. Clean Spills and Water
Your bamboo flooring is highly susceptible to water damage, so it is important to immediately clean any spills or standing water off of the wood. Soak spills with a sponge or microfiber cloth, then dry the area with a soft towel.
Water soaking into your flooring can cause it to absorb the liquid. This can cause warping or unsightly water damage spots in your bamboo flooring.
Step 2. Vacuum and Sweep Debris
Sweep or vacuum any dust, debris, or dirt on the floor before applying any cleaners. Dust and grime can scratch and dent your floor if not removed. Use a soft bristle broom or a felt head vacuum, without the beater bar, to protect your bamboo flooring. Stiff bristle brooms or vacuums not designed for hardwood floors can damage your flooring with scratches.
Step 3. Clean Stains, Dried Spills, or Other Spots
Once you have finished sweeping or vacuuming your bamboo floors, if you notice any stains, dampen a microfiber cloth with water and rub the stain to see if it can be removed easily. If it doesn’t wipe up easily, use Rock Doctor’s Bamboo Cleaner.
Removing all dust and grime before rubbing it with a cloth is vital, as you don’t want to grind dirt into the floor.
Step 4. Damp Mopping with Rock Doctor’s Bamboo Cleaner
Apply Rock Doctor’s Floor-Aid Bamboo Cleaner to the floor and wipe it down with a damp soft cloth, sponge, or mop. Don’t mop or rub in a circular motion, as that can stain the floor. Instead, mop in straight lines following the grain of the floor. The floor should be damp but not wet. Too much water will cause the bamboo to absorb the moisture.
Our bamboo cleaner does not require rinsing. It has a fresh scent and maintains your bamboo’s natural look. The non-abrasive cleaner is safe to use on your floors, and if the instructions are followed, it is streak free.
Step 5. Let Your Bamboo Floor Air Dry
Allow your bamboo floor to fully air dry before walking on it again. You may be tempted to dry it with an absorbent cloth to speed the drying, but that can create streaking. Depending on the humidity, it should be dry within the hour.
Make sure to clean your bamboo flooring frequently to help prevent long-term damage.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bamboo Flooring
How Do I Get Stains Out of My Bamboo Floors?
Of course, you’ll try your best to protect your bamboo floors from staining by wiping up spills as soon as possible. Sometimes stains still occur despite our best efforts. There are a lot of home remedies out there; some work and some will damage your floors.
An easy, safe one is to place a dollop of real mayonnaise on your stain and let it sit for fifteen minutes. After that, wipe it off and polish the area with a rag. The oils in the mayo should help remove the stain. If that doesn’t do the trick, it won’t damage your flooring like vinegar or other acidic remedies might. In the worst-case scenario, bamboo floors can be refinished, and the stain should be eliminated when it comes time for refinishing.
How Do I Remove Scuff Marks on My Bamboo Floors?
Scuff marks are easily treated with a spot treatment of Rock Doctor’s Bamboo Cleaner. Sweep away any debris, spray the bamboo cleaner, rub it with a microfiber cloth, and let it air dry. It should look as good as new.
What Else Can I Do to Protect My Bamboo Flooring?
Keep these tips in mind to help protect your flooring.
Do:
- Keep your pets’ nails trimmed.
- Consider making your hard floors a “no-shoes area.”
- Use furniture sliders under chairs, tables, and other furniture.
- Keep your home at a comfortable 30 to 50 percent humidity level.
- Occasionally rearrange furniture and rugs. Over time sunlight can fade the bamboo flooring, and permanent furniture and carpets can create shadows.
Don’t:
- Don’t use rubber mats on bamboo flooring as they trap moisture which can cause damage.
- Don’t walk with stiletto or sports cleats on the floor. These shoes can cause indentations.
- Don’t steam clean or wet mop your bamboo floor, as it is susceptible to moisture.
- Don’t use vinegar, bleach, ammonia, baking soda, waxes, furniture polish, rubbing alcohol, or hydrogen peroxide on your flooring.
Can I Use a Swiffer Wetjet on My Bamboo Flooring?
We recommend using bamboo-specific cleaners to prevent streaking, filming, or brush marks.
Why Is My Bamboo Flooring Warping and Separating?
Separating bamboo flooring is usually due to excess moisture and improper installation. During summer months, humidity soars, swelling porous materials. Over winter months, the dry air will shrink porous materials, causing floor planks to shrink and pull apart from each other. Climate control can help alleviate this by adding or removing humidity to a home. Ideally, your home is between 30 and 55 percent humidity.
Like other hardwoods, bamboo flooring should sit in a home for several days before being installed to acclimate and stabilize it to the new environment to get a tight fit during installation.
If you have bamboo floors in your home, look no further than Rock Doctor’s Bamboo Floor Cleaner! Buy it online at Amazon.com, Home Depot, Menards, and Lowe’s.
