How to Keep Your Bamboo Floors Immaculately Clean

What You Need to Clean Bamboo Floors

• Broom – Preferably soft bristles so it doesn't scratch the floor
• Microfiber mop
• Microfiber cloth
• Spray bottle
• pH-neutral cleaner
• Vacuum (with soft bristle brush)

How to Clean and Achieve a Streak-Free Shine on Bamboo Floors (Without Any Warping)

Simple Steps to Cleaning Your Bamboo Floors

1) Sweep or vacuum your floor daily to remove dust bunnies, crumbs, and other debris. Build-up of dirt can lead to micro-scratches on the floor.

2) A few times a week use a microfiber dust mop to ensure capturing leftover microdust.

Yes, cleaning your bamboo floors can be as simple as two steps. But if you want a deeper clean, you'll just need to add a few more steps.

3) Use a clean microfiber mop and spray it with water or pH-neutral cleaner, depending on the cleaning strength you need. Spraying it directly on your bamboo floor can result in moisture seeping through the cracks.

4) Mop your floors with the grain and spray your mop as needed.

Oh, and the streak-free shine? Routine cleaning with microfiber cloths and minimal moisture will keep your floor shiny.

Try to not use polish or wax on your bamboo floors. It’s slippery and can damage your floors over time. If absolutely needed, use sparingly.

How to Clean a Spill on Bamboo Floors

First and foremost, you want to remove the liquid as quickly as you can with a microfiber cloth. While bamboo is moisture-wicking, it's not immune to water damage. Leaving a spill on the floor for too long can cause the bamboo floors to warp.

After cleaning up the spill, use a microfiber mop sprayed with a bit of water to remove any stickiness from the liquid. Then finish off with a dry cloth to remove excess moisture.

How to Remove Scuff Marks on Your Bamboo Floors

When it comes to natural bamboo floors, less is more.

Removing scuff marks off your bamboo floor requires only three things: a clean cloth, water, and some elbow grease.

Slightly wet a clean cloth and rub the scuff mark. The water is used to loosen the scuff mark, and the cloth and elbow grease adds friction which should lift off the dirt easily.

6 Ways to Prevent Bamboo Floors from Getting Dirtier

There's a quote that goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” It's especially true when taking care of your bamboo floors.

Here are a few ways to prevent damage to your bamboo floors:

1. Protect Your Furniture to Protect Your Floors

While bamboo is more durable than hardwood, it's not immune to chipping or scratches from the furniture.

Furniture is heavy, and naturally, when you hit something heavy on the floor and drag it across your floors, it can chip and cause indentations on the floor.

Protect your bamboo floors by adding furniture pads on large and heavy pieces of furniture like a sofa, table, or cabinet. Or consider leg covers for chairs since they are moved around most often.

2. Keep Dirt Out the Door

Most dirt and debris are tracked from outside. Leaving your shoes at the door can prevent dirt from tracking all over your home. You can also add a welcome mat outside or inside to keep debris at bay. By keeping the dirt out, you prevent dirt from coming in and rubbing into the bamboo flooring, causing micro-dents and tears.

If you like wearing shoes indoors, get a pair of indoor-only shoes. You can enjoy the feeling of wearing shoes and keep the dirt out. It's a win-win. My family has done this for generations, and our floors definitely stay cleaner longer.

3. Prevent Water from Pooling

Spills are unpredictable, but when it happens, it's important to get to them right away. Keep hand towels nearby and rugs on the floor to absorb any excess moisture.

If you have potted plants in your home, check to see if there's any water pooling under the pots. Moist soil that sits too long can stain your bamboo floors.

4. Pets' Nails

If you have a furry friend or two, check their nails. Their strong nails can scratch your beautiful bamboo floors if it grows too long. Having a routine nail clipping from the groomers can ensure your pet is comfortable and your floor is scratch free.

5. Go With the Grain

Cleaning your bamboo floors is nothing like eating steak. With steak, you cut against the grain for an easier and more enjoyable chewing experience. But with bamboo floors, that's a no-no. Going against the grain can create more micro-dents and cuts in your wood. Instead, clean in the direction of the grain to prevent that.

6. Say No to Acidic Cleaners

Don't get me wrong; acidic cleaners are incredibly effective for cleaning your home. But when it comes to bamboo floors, we don't recommend it. Due to its acidity, the cleaner can degrade and eat away at your bamboo floors. As your bamboo floors degrade, it can cause little pockets of openings in the floor and house more dirt and dust.

If you've used it once or twice, your floors will be fine. But if you consistently use it over a long time, you'll notice the damage when it's too late.

Products to NOT use: Bleach, vinegar, wax, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide
Products to use instead: pH-neutral cleaner, water

Other Frequently Asked Questions About Cleaning Bamboo Floors

Can Bamboo Floors Be Waxed?

Wax for furniture polish on the floor because it can cause it's really slippery and dull the wood over time.

Can Bamboo Floors Get Wet?

Absolutely! Bamboo floors are moisture-wicking, but leaving any pools of water for too long is not recommended. It will damage the floor's integrity and cause it to swell and warp.

Can Bamboo Be Steam Cleaned?

Nope! Don’t do it. Bamboo floors should not be steam cleaned as it introduces excessive moisture deep into the floors and causes warping. Water that goes deep into the wood without proper drying can also cause mold and mildew.

Can Bamboo Floors Be Refinished?

It depends! There are so many types of bamboo flooring available. Natural bamboo flooring can definitely be refinished, but engineered bamboo flooring shouldn't be if its veneer is 2mm or less. Here is an excellent refinishing bamboo floor guide to see if your specific bamboo floors can be refinished.