How to Clean Bamboo Floors? & Prevent them Look Dull Again

How to proper care and Clean your bamboo floors will ensure that you enjoy the beauty they provide in your home for decades.

So, what does proper care entail and how do you clean bamboo floors?

Start by dusting your bamboo floors with a mop to remove dust and dirt from the floor surface before using damp mop. You can use eaither homade sollution or neutral ph store-bought type. Make sure you wipe your floor with dry towel at the end.

Continue reading to learn about the most common Bamboo flooring cleaning questions and how to resolve them.

How to Clean your Bamboo Floors without Streaks?

Damp mop your bamboo floors once a week by following these simple steps:

1. Remove area rugs and small furniture for a clear space to work.
2. Sweep or dust mop the floor thoroughly.
3. Mix carefully your preferred cleaning solution (either homemade or store-bought).
4. Soak your damp mop head or microfiber cloth in your preferred wood floor cleaner solution.
5. Wring out the soaked mop head or microfiber cloth until it is merely damp. There should be no drips at all.
6. Proceed to damp mop your bamboo floors. Work the damp mop in the same direction of the bamboo grain, not against or across.
7. Once you’ve finished damp mopping a room, wipe down the floor with a dry clean towel or microfiber cloth before moving on to the next room.

Additional Tips When Damp Mopping

• Open a window in the room to facilitate quick drying time.
• Be prepared to clean or switch out your damp mop head between rooms. You don’t want to be spreading grime from one room to another.
• If your cleaning solution is in a bucket, keep an eye on the solution in the bucket. Once the water solution turns cloudy or dirty it’s time to dump it out and start over.

Appropriate solutions for bamboo floor cleaning

Both homemade and store-bought chemical cleaners can be effective as cleaning solutions. Ultimately, the option that you choose is completely dependent upon your personal preference. The following is a shortlist of solutions for cleaning your bamboo floors.

1. Homemade Cleaners

If you are a DIY (Do It Yourself) enthusiast, you may prefer a homemade cleaning solution for your bamboo floors. One of the main benefits of a homemade cleaner is that they are generally safer, meaning you will not be exposed to chemicals that are potentially harmful.

Another main benefit of homemade cleaners is that they tend to be more economical when compared to brand name cleaners. If you already have the necessary ingredients, there may be no need for you to incur any additional costs.

Nevertheless, homemade cleaning solutions also have their cons. Often, the solutions are not meant for the bamboo material. Also, there is a chance of incorrectly mixing the solutions. Furthermore, preparation of the solutions takes time, and it may be challenging to come up with a pleasantly scented cleaner.

For any solution you have made, you should use a spray bottle. When you spray a cleaning solution onto your bamboo floor, its contact with water is greatly reduced. In addition, using a spray bottle makes it easier for floor surface stains to be appropriately targeted.

We’ve found this list to be most helpful when looking for wood floor cleaning options.

2. Store-bought Solutions

The advantage of most store-bought solutions is that they are mainly tailored for wood floors and hence, a little safer. You have a range of products and scents to choose from depending on your preference.

In addition, there is typically no preparation required on your part, which makes them convenient cleaning solutions.

On the other hand, ready-made cleaners are relatively more costly than homemade solutions. Often, bamboo floor-specific cleaners are not only expensive but also may be hard for you to find.

Also, since they contain chemicals, they may pose health risks to you and your children and pets. You have to handle and store the chemical cleaners appropriately to avoid possible contact.

Generally, when it comes to choosing bamboo floor cleaning solutions, ensure you avoid the use of abrasive chemicals. These solutions can be too harsh for your bamboo floors and may lead to the tearing through of your floor’s finish, which may cause even more staining and scratches.

Likewise, do not use any scrub brush, brooms, or mops that have stiff or hard bristles, since they may further damage your bamboo floor as they create scratches and dents.

How to Remove stain caused by pet accident?

While this article is meant to address most spills and damage caused by liquid substances, we see lots of questions related to cleaning up after accidents from our friendly, four-legged friends.

The urine stains must be removed as quickly as possible since set-in stains are even trickier to clean. Any old stains on your bamboo floor will cause discoloration, and if you consider that in terms of color, it is naturally light, the visibility of stains becomes enhanced.

Furthermore, when your bamboo floor is urine-stained, then your house will be plagued with that bad smell. Heat and moisture are also known for reactivation of the ammonia available in urine, causing more intense smells.

The smell will continue to emerge and bother you, unless you commit to neutralizing the smell completely. There is also evidence that the smell will attract your pet to the same spot and encourage repeat urination on the spot.

For dog stain removal, use enzyme cleaners, as they are also effective when it comes to dealing with old stains. Generally, enzyme cleaners are useful because they work by breaking down the pet urine at the molecular level.

As a result, the stain source and the smell are eliminated. Additionally, enzyme cleaners do not contain strong chemicals or fragrances and are safe for your family and pets.

How to Clean stubborn liquid spills on Bamboo Floors?

At some point, you may have to deal with sticky or gooey spills.

1. You’ll want to use a towel/dry cloth as quickly as possible to have a chance of removing the stubborn spills before the problem gets any worse.
2. If there is any remaining spill, you can use a damp cloth, but remember, when you are cleaning spills, try to avoid pushing the material into your bamboo flooring surface. This may cause the dislodging of your bamboo floors and present a new problem for you to solve for.
3. Remember to blot the sticky spot numerous times until the spill is completely gone.

TIP: A dry cloth can also come in handy for safeguarding the bamboo floors from potential further damage from the spilled liquid.

Can you steam mop your bamboo floors?

When your bamboo floor is exposed to a liquid spill or moisture, mopping can also be a great way of solving the problem. But, not all mopping options will help you get rid of spills effectively.

You must avoid the use of steam mopping on your floor surface. The primary reason is that the bamboo material tends to absorb the steam moisture, causing your bamboo floors to soak in the moisture from the inside.

It may be hard for you at first to notice the soaking of the bamboo floor and the resulting damage. Over time, though, it is nearly guaranteed that your floors will be stained, weakened, and even warped.

Quick tips to remember for cleaning and stain removal

While we hope that all of this information is useful for you if you currently have or are considering bamboo floors, here are some easy-to-remember tips to help with cleaning and stain removal:

• Avoid using a steam mop as the moisture can be absorbed by the bamboo and lead to warping and distortion.
• Do not use furniture polish, wax, or oils as they tend to result in the creation of a slippery residue on the bamboo floor. Only rely on PH neutral cleaning spray as it does not leave any streaks or residue.
• Say no to abrasive cleaning solutions and products. The use of abrasive and acidic cleaning solutions may cause even further damage to your bamboo floor.
• Promptly wipe away any floor spills. While it may be okay for your bamboo flooring to get wet, if the liquid spills are left for long periods of time, it can be absorbed by the floor.
• Perform regular cleaning to find and remove any liquid spilling you may not have been aware of.
• When ordinary cleaning does not work for stain removal, you can also use other methods of floor repair and maintenance like sanding and refinishing.

Why Does My Bamboo Floor Look Dull and How to Prevent it?

Bamboo floors can look hazy or dull for various reasons. Here, I will explain the cause and what you can do to correct it.

1. Wrong cleaning product

If your bamboo floor is looking dull, you might be using the wrong cleaning product. Avoid any cleaners with ammonia, waxes, bleach, polishes, baking soda, vinegar, or other abrasive products.

Correlating Action

Switch to Better Life Floor Cleaner. I recommend this product because it is free of VOCs, alkylphenol surfactants, and petroleum. It has a delicious citrus mint scent (no perfume).

If you prefer another hardwood cleaner, check to see if it has a neutral pH which will ensure it is gentle enough for your floor.

2. Improper dilution

Another of the causes of streaks, residue, or haziness on your floors can be an improper dilution of your cleaning product.

Correlating Action

Read your cleaning solution instructions carefully.

For example: Bam-Brite can be diluted by pouring 4 oz. of concentrate into a 32 oz. spray bottle and then filling the remaining 28 oz. with water.

3. Dirt will damage bamboo floors

Dirt is so obvious and easy to overlook. However, it is entirely possible that your floors are looking dull because too much time is elapsing between cleanings. Dirt will cause your floor to look dull and worn.

Correlating Action

Dust mop at least every other day. If you have pets or kids you may want to dust mop daily.

Frequent dust mopping is important because it prevents the buildup of dust and debris.

If dust and debris are left to build upon your floor, not only does it dull the appearance of your floors but it causes other problems as well, primarily scratches.

You may only be worried about scratches from moving furniture or dropping a heavy item. While you are right to be cautious in those regards, the truth is small scratches are often caused on hard floors from mundane dust and debris being rubbed against the floor’s surface by walking.

If you don't already have a dust mop, take a look at my post, "10 Best Dust Mop for Hardwood Floors" and find the right one for you.

4. Extended sun exposure can cause your bamboo floors to fade

We need to prevent as much direct sun contact to your Bamboo floors as possible.

Correlating Actions

1. Utilize area rugs when appropriate with the space and location.
2. Consider window shades, blinds, or drapes to control amount of UV exposure. You probably appreciate having the sun shine through your house when you are around to enjoy it. However, drapes or shades can be closed to protect the floors when you aren’t in the room.

Read the related blog post: How to clean Area Rug on Hardwood Floors?

5. They can dull with age, and with wear

Of course, you can’t do anything to prevent your bamboo floors from actually aging, but you can put time and thought into maintenance and prevention to keep signs of aging at bay. Here are a few things you can do about that:

Correlating Actions:

• Rearrange your furniture from time to time – Rearranging your furniture will expose new areas to high traffic while giving your old high traffic areas a rest.
• Use area rugs – Area rugs under large living room furniture and in high traffic hallways will help to protect your floors. Be sure there is no latex or rubber backing on the area rugs because those materials can trap moisture and damage the floor.
• Place door mats at your exterior entrances to the house – The less grit and debris brought into the house, the less there is that needs to be cleaned. Be sure your door mats are rubber free.
• Get a draft guard for your front door – The same premise for the door mat applies to a draft guard. You don’t have to clean what doesn’t come in your house.
• Take off your shoes – Cleats, heals, or muddy dusty boots and shoes can wear out a floor quickly. Make it routine for family members (and guests!) to remove their shoes before walking through the house.

How do you remove wax buildup from bamboo floors?

If cleaning your floors with Bam-Brite bamboo floor cleaner doesn’t remove the wax buildup on your floors, try an inconspicuous spot with ammonia Windex.

However, if neither can’t remove it, you may test a vinegar and water solution on a hazy spot and see if it works.

If all this fails, you need to consider a complete sanding and refinishing.

You may have read about a screen and re-coat which is a process that is less involved than a complete refinishing.

Unfortunately, a screen and re-coat is unlikely to work, as the wax buildup prevent the necessary polyurethane coating from bonding to the floor’s surface.

RELATED QUESTIONS:

Can you Clean Bamboo floors with Windex, Murphy's Oil soap, Pine sol, Swiffer And Vinegar?

I treat Bamboo floors with same care as regular hardwood floors. They are delicate and we need to pay attention to cleaning products, we are using. I prefer Better Life Floor Cleaner but you can use Murphy’s Oil Soap, Pine Sol, Swiffer and ammonia-free Windex . Keep in mind to read instructions carefully and dilute properly with water or other recommendations written in their manual.

Can you clean bamboo floors with water?

Only when the water is being used to dilute your cleaner solution, and only in the damp mop method I explained above. Just like with other hardwoods, water exposure to bamboo can cause damage. Your bamboo planks can buckle, swell, and delaminate due to water.

Can you DIY a bamboo floor cleaning solution?

If you prefer to DIY your cleaning solution Mix 1/2 a cup of rubbing alcohol (it’s pH neutral) with 1/2 a teaspoon of dishwashing detergent and 2 cups of water.
Another solution is to Mix 1 tablespoon of Castile soap with warm water in a gallon bucket.

Can you steam clean bamboo floors?

You should never use steam to clean your bamboo floors. Steam cleaners press the humid vapors down into the flooring which is a recipe for water damage. You might be lucky if you do it just once. However, there is no doubt that repeat steam cleaning will weaken the bamboo, affect its stability, and ultimately present buckling, swelling, and all other symptoms of water damage.

Read Next

• How to Clean your Laminate floors?
• Cleaning old hardwood floors without refinishing
• Does Bamboo Flooring Expand?
• Are Bamboo Floors Safe?
• Types of Bamboo Flooring
• Bamboo Flooring Colors and Patterns
• How do you get scratches out of bamboo floors
• How to Refinish Bamboo Floors?
• How to Install Bamboo Floors?
• How do you make Laminate Floor Shine?