In the realm of sustainable flooring, bamboo is a popular choice. Technically a grass, bamboo’s hardness is similar to typical hardwood. Bamboo is an eco-friendly option because it grows easily without fertilizers or pesticides and needs little water. Because it matures faster than trees, bamboo can be harvested more frequently. Learn more about bamboo flooring and the best way to clean bamboo floors with these simple cleaning tips.
Bamboo flooring construction
All bamboo flooring is a type of engineered flooring. Bamboo is cut into strips and glued together. The way it’s constructed affects its overall appearance. There are three variations of bamboo flooring: horizontal, vertical and strand-woven.
Shows off the natural look of bamboo. Growth rings or nodes are visible.
Strips are bound vertically, allowing for a more uniform look.
Strand-woven. Strips are laid in various directions and then pressed to form the strongest version of bamboo flooring.
How to care for bamboo floors
Aside from its construction, bamboo flooring shares a lot of similarities to hardwood floors, especially in its care and maintenance. The finish on a bamboo floor is typically a polyurethane coating, making it compatible with a wide range of floor care products and polishes. Learning how to clean bamboo floors is all about setting up a good floor cleaning routine.
Items needed
Bona® Premium Microfiber Mop for Multi-Surface Floors
Bona® Hardwood Floor Cleaner (pH neutral)
Bona® Hardwood Floor Polish
Bamboo floor cleaning schedule
Daily – dust/sweep/spot clean
Dust/sweep floors for your best daily defense against scratches and surface damage. Always dust floors along the grain. Clean spills immediately to prevent staining and moisture damage.
Weekly – vacuum/mop
Get a more thorough clean than sweeping, and clean hard-to-reach areas with a vacuum or microfiber mop. When mopping, lightly mist your floor with a gentle floor cleaner and mop along the grain.
Every 2-4 months – polish
If floors are looking dull, restore the shine and renew your floor’s protective layer with floor polish (how often depends on foot traffic). Always test polish on a small part of the floor and follow the directions of the polish manufacturer.
Advanced bamboo floor care tips
Get protection
Use floor mats and rugs in high traffic areas and use felt furniture pads to avoid scratching the floors.
Avoid vinegar and steam
A DIY vinegar and water cleaning solution can dull and damage a floor’s finish. Steam cleaners put heat and excess water on your floor, which can lead to long-term damage.
For a deep clean, use a floor deep cleaner powered by hydrogen peroxide, that loosens and removes heavy dirt build-up, such as Bona PowerPlus® Hardwood Floor Deep Cleaner.
Bona floor care products work hard to get floors looking their best. From wood floor cleaners to hard-surface floor cleaners and more, you’ll find all you need to clean, shine and protect floors in the Bona family of cleaners