The kitchen is the center of a home, so it makes sense the floors in this room would show the most wear. Keeping hardwood floors clean is always a bit of a challenge, but it’s even more difficult in a kitchen – and the worst part is when you think the floor is clean, only to discover it’s really not up to “good housekeeping” standards.
A lot of times, a floor can look good from where you stand, but when you do the white glove test you’ll discover some dirt. But don’t despair: There is a way to avoid this common problem, just by getting back to basics in your cleaning habits.
First, watch out for sticky residue that is generally caused by cleaning with harsh detergents. If you touch the floor after mopping, does it feel tacky? If so, it’s not clean. You’ll want to change the products you’re using on your floor, or change your rinsing routine. Also, give your floor a quick once-over view. If the flooring finish is supposed to be shiny, does it actually shine, or is there still noticeable dirt on the surface?
If your floor doesn’t pass any or all of these tests, it’s time to get down to business. Get out the vacuum to sweep the floor first to be sure to get dirt hiding in crevices. Then mop it with a product that you know will give good results. If you don’t have time to do a detailed cleaning job every week, at least try to sweep to keep things under control. You can also spot clean spills and heavy traffic areas to keep the job manageable.
Just like you’d never wear worn out shoes with a nice suit, a dirty kitchen floor can detract from a spotless kitchen. Make it shine – and protect your flooring investment!