If you have hardwood flooring, you know that while it’s one of your home’s best assets, it only makes the very best impression when it’s perfectly clean. Luckily, cleaning hardwood floors isn’t difficult; in fact, this type of flooring is low-maintenance and durable. To help you master the basics of cleaning, the professionals from Interior Designs in Holmen, WI, have some insider tips for you.

Here are the five foolproof steps to effectively cleaning hardwood flooring:

• Clear: Start by clearing away any furniture that you can from the area you’ll be cleaning. Place objects that are easy to lift and carry in another room, or somewhere that they won’t get in the way as you clean.
• Sweep: Clear away any debris and dust from your hardwood flooring using a broom. Pay special attention to corners and edges.
• Vacuum (Optional): To guarantee the absence of any particles that could scratch the surface of your floors, you can also run a vacuum across your hardwood. Remember to use the hard floor setting, if your vacuum has one.
• Mop: Mix warm water with a mild dish soap or a cleaning agent that’s safe for hardwood flooring. (If you’re unsure about whether your product is safe, feel free to consult one of the professionals from Interior Designs for answers.) Dampen your mop with the solution, and mop the floor in the same direction as the grain.
• Buff: Using a microfiber cloth, buff the floors, and allow them to finish drying completely before walking on them. Then, enjoy your sparkling clean floors!