Step 2: Tap Off Dirt and Dust.

Most modern wooden floors are sealed with a polyurethane coating and are straightforward to care for.The main point to remember is not to use wax on sealed hardwood, as it can leave your floor slippery..

Older floors tend to have an oil-based finish, and, unlike modern floors, are better off when treated with wax.The same wax treatment applies to lacquered floors, which have a harder finish than oiled floors..Most of our tips apply to sealed hardwood floors, but a lot of the guidance applies to all types of hardwood floors.

There are more specific tips for engineered, lacquered, oiled, and unsealed floors further down the page..Testing Your Floor Type.

If you don’t know what you’re working with, run your finger along the surface of the floor.

If you see a mark, it probably has an oil, lacquer, or varnish finish.The downsides are that they are expensive and have a limited battery life.. There’s no “best” type of vacuum for all situations.

Instead, you need to consider your home’s cleaning requirements..Step 2: Choose Between a Bagged or Bagless Vacuum Cleaner.

Many modern vacuum cleaners have a bagless design, but this isn’t always the best choice.Here’s an overview of the differences between bagged and bagless vacuums:.