Engineered hardwood floors are the low-cost replica of real hardwood floors. The hardwood is all wood, a thick wood plank, and engineered hardwood, a plank with a few layers.
Multiple layers of different materials, other than wood, are sandwiched between the two layers of thin solid hardwood. So, hardwood will be more delicate, expensive, and high-maintenance. It will need careful cleaning and safe cleaning tools and products.
Therefore, all that cleans a hardwood floor can be used to clean engineered hardwood floors without a second thought. One such cleaning tool and solution is the very prevalent and highly-used Swiffer WetJet spray mop.
This unit can be used to clean any hardwood floor, finished or unfinished. So, the answer to the very frequently asked question of can I use Swiffer wet on engineered hardwood floors will be, of course, you can.
Swiffer WetJet Spray Mop
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Swiffer WetJet Spray Mop is similar to every spray mop yet very distinct from any other spray mop. It is that very regular cordless spray mop, with a swivel mop head to attach the mop pad, a slot to install the cleaning solution, a trigger, and nozzles to disperse the solution on the floor.
Yet, its distinctly designed mop pads, the potent but gentle cleaning solution, and even spreading of cleaning solution through dual nozzles make the spray mop unlike any other.
If you are getting the starter kit, you have a spray mop, a few dry and wet pads with the scrub streak on them, and a white scrubber.
Cleaning Process Using a Swiffer WetJet Spray Mop, Step-by-Step
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Step #1 – Removing Dirt Particles
Before wet mopping, even damp mopping, a floor needs to be thoroughly dusted. Not only just before mopping, as one cannot mop the floor every day, to keep a floor clean, ambiance pure, and surface free of scratches, daily dusting is essential. You can skip mopping if you do the daily dusting of flooring. Hardwood floors last the best with twice a day dusting. So, when it comes to engineered hardwood floors, you must do the dusting every day, once, if not twice. The top layer is still wood, so dirt particles, fine and large ones, will leave scratches if stayed even for a day on the surface and dull it too.
So, do the daily dusting with a vacuum cleaner or a broom and make sure to remove the dirt particles and human and pet hairs, especially before damp mopping. And by the way, no wet mopping of hardwood floors, only damp mopping; that is why Swiffer WetJet Spray Mop works so great in safely cleaning the engineered hardwood floors.
Step #2 – Dry Mop
Now you can skip this step, but as engineered hardwood floors don’t require frequent cleaning, an extra effort will not be wrong if it’s good for the surface. Before you spray and damp mop the floor with cleaning solution and wet pads, attach a dry pad to the mop head and thoroughly mop the already dusted engineered hardwood floor. Dusting has removed most of the dirt particles, but the finer or missed dirt particles remain. And that can be thoroughly removed with a dry Swiffer pad. Now when you have done the double dusting, time to spray and mop with Swiffer WetJet.
Step #3 – Prepare The Mop for Damp Mopping
Cleaning Solution Bottle – You are getting a bottle of cleaning solution and no water tank; thus, no diluting required. The whole bottle will clean four to five rooms, depending on the dirt on the surface and room size.
Pad – You will have to attach a dry pad or a wet pad to the Velcro straps on the mop head. Attach the printed side of the pad to the mop head. If the floor is not too dirty, a dry pad and cleaning solution will do, and if it’s too nasty with a sticky mess and grime, use the wet ones with strips for potent cleaning.
Batteries – The four AA batteries control the force of the sprayed cleaning solution. The nozzle releases the cleaning solution with full force when your batteries are new.
Installation – Insert the batteries and cleaning solution bottle in their respective slots, and your Swiffer wet is ready to use.
Step #4 – Spray and Mop
Just like hardwood, engineered hardwood also needs to be mopped following a pattern to avoid streaks. Therefore, start from the inside end of the room. And mop straight in the same motion, instead of moving it randomly. Hold the mop with a firm grip, press the trigger for a few seconds to spray the cleaning solution. The button and nozzles are designed to disperse the solution sparingly, but still, be cautious. The trigger is right on the handle, thus within comfy reach. Move the spray mop back and forth and when the pad is too dirty, throw it away and attach a new one. The pads will absorb and lock the moisture and dirt within them, so even if you are mopping with a semi-dirty pad, the filth will not spread.
Step #5 – Removing Residue
The cleaning solution doesn’t leave much residue; neither does it make the surface sticky. Thus, you do not require re-mopping the floor. The moment you sweep an area, the spot quickly dries. No moisture is left for the engineered hardwood floor to soak. Hence no warping, bending, or damage due to saturation. But still, if you want to remove even the very less residue, attach a dry pad and mop the floor one last time.
At the end of this cleaning session of your engineered hardwood floor with Swiffer WetJet Spray Mop, you only will have a dirty pad. Even that doesn’t need washing as they are disposable. Throw the dirty pads and store the spray mop anywhere you want. It is ready to use once again. Such ever-ready mops prove to be very handy to clean suddenly spilled drinks, foods, and standing water as they damage and stain the surface the most if left unattended for too long. So, make sure you are always cautious about keeping the floor dust-free and dry. And make your cleaning of the engineered hardwood floor easy and safe with the Swiffer WetJet spray mop.
