The Handy Tool That Makes Removing Buildup From Your Hardwood Floor A Breeze

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Hardwoods are one of the most sought-after floor types, and it's easy to see why. These beauties are long-lasting, relatively easy to care for, and capable of boosting a home's resale value. But like any flooring material, they require regular upkeep. If your floors have seen better days, removing built-up grime might feel like a daunting task. Fortunately, there's one not-so-obvious tool that can come to the rescue: a putty knife.

Putty knives are typically used for applying drywall compound or spackle, but thanks to their easy-to-grip handles and sharp blades, they're also great for scraping a variety of materials, including stuck-on food and accumulated grime, off the floor. However, it's important to note that this method only works for buildup on top of the floor (think: sticky spots that've attracted dirt, gum that got stuck on the floor, spilled candle wax, etc.). If your floors have a film on them, for example, and you're wondering how to clean hazy hardwood floors, a putty knife is not the solution. But if you notice raised, textured spots remaining, a flexible plastic tool, like the Harniruco Flexible Plastic Putty Knife, will be safe for the surface and able to dig under grunge and grime on top of and between floorboards with its beveled edge.

Are your floors dirty? Don't pull out your putty knife just yet. Sweeping and mopping are crucial first steps before you tackle the tougher buildup. Mopping lifts dirt from the floors (and may even remove some of the caked-on mess), revealing the problem spots you need to work on. A good once-over with one of the best mops for hardwood floors won't take much time but will make your scraping job easier. Once your floors are spic and span, it's time to break out the putty knife.

Use the putty knife to slowly scrape away the gunk from your floors. Apply enough pressure to remove the buildup, but not so much pressure that you damage the floor. Keep a paper towel and a small trash bag nearby for wiping your scraper clean as you go. While you're tackling grime on top of the hardwoods, don't forget about the cracks. You can gently glide the putty knife in the gaps between floorboards to dislodge buildup. Once you get one spot de-gunked, wipe it with a damp microfiber cloth to pick up any loose debris. If your floors are looking good once all the grime is removed, remember to keep up with cleaning so they stay in great shape. If your floors are still looking rough underneath that grime, not all hope is lost. Consider various DIY and commercial cleaners to get stains out of your hardwood floors, and if those don't work, you may still be able to sand and refinish the surface to make it look like new again.