Can you steam clean parquet flooring?

In recent years, steam cleaners have become a favoured option for many homeowners and professional floor care services as an alternative to traditional mops and buckets. Steam has proved a powerful way to remove even the most stubborn dirt from flooring without the need for cleaning solutions, but many may wonder whether steam cleaners are an option that is suitable for parquet wood floors.

In short, the answer is – in some cases – yes, but steam cleaning is not appropriate for every kind of parquet installation. In next sections, we’ll look at what type of parquet flooring can be cleaned using this innovative equipment, and when it’s best to use another option.

What kind of parquet flooring can benefit from steam cleaning?

The only parquet floors that can be refreshed using steam cleaners are installations that are fully bonded, presenting a hard-sealed surface. Any other kind of parquet floor will potentially sustain damage if steam cleaning is attempted, ruining your investment.

This is because the surface of parquet floors that are unsealed and simply waxed or oiled stay open-pored, allowing the moisture caused by the steam cleaning to permeate the floor, damaging the wood parquet flooring.

Natural wood will always react to excessive amounts of moisture with increased swelling, and the high volume of moisture involved in steam cleaning will ultimately lead to bulges and dents in the parquet.

Important considerations for steam cleaning parquet flooring

Even when parquet flooring has been professionally varnished or sealed with a protective coating, caution is advised if you decide to use a steam cleaner to care for it.

First, it is essential to check that the parquet surface is entirely intact and has not sustained any damage that could lead to unwanted moisture being absorbed. If you are unsure whether floor is fully sealed, get an expert opinion before attempting any steam cleaning.

Steps to take when steam cleaning sealed parquet floors

Prior to any cleaning, first vacuum your floors, removing any debris like particles of dust and dirt that may scratch the parquet surface. Next, check the settings of your steam cleaner. You should be using the lowest steam amount possible, and you should select the lowest pressure when cleaning parquet, so that you can wipe the floor by simply employing a damp cloth.

For this reason, only steam cleaning devices that have the capacity to be regulated continuously and are clearly labelled by their manufacturer as appropriate for floors made from natural wood are recommended.

To minimise the exposure of your floor to moisture, it’s always advised to keep the cleaning process as quick and even as possible. To ensure the amount of water creating a film on the flooring remains low, multilayer wipe covers are also a wise move.

Finally, pausing in any area for too long can lead to increased moisture. If this happens, act quickly and wipe any excess water with a dry cloth. A slight residue, however, is natural and will typically dry up on its own.

Parquet floors are an attractive option for many homeowners, and if cared for properly, they can last for many years.