How to Maintain Your Bamboo Floors

Care and cleaning for bamboo flooring is, for the most part, similar to maintenance for hardwood flooring (also see our article on Hardwood Floor Protection). Most of the time, bamboo doesn't need much cleaning beyond regular sweeping. (Walking on a dust- and dirt-laden floor is a quick way to wreck the finish.) Use a soft-bristle broom or a vacuum with a bare-floor attachment.

Here are a few more tips for keeping those floors looking good for years to come:

You should never damp-mop bamboo, as too much water can make the floor swell or cup.
Since exposure to sunlight will cause bamboo to fade over time, rearrange your rugs and furniture from time to time (anything that blocks sunlight discourages discoloration). By moving the furnishings around, you help even out the floor's exposure, which helps prevent sun damage.
Avoid wearing stiletto or spike heels and walking across the floor. Even a small person creates a dynamic load of more than 1,000 pounds per square inch, which is enough to leave dents in bamboo flooring.
Use floor-protector pads underneath furniture legs, to protect the floor from scratches when things are moved.

These tips should help you keep your floors looking nice. For a more complete list, read the previously mentioned Hardwood Floor Protection since most of the advice there will apply to bamboo as well.

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