Getting a hardwood floor clean can be a challenge, even for the most seasoned household cleaner. You don’t want to accidentally ruin the wood by using the wrong tools on it, but you also don’t want to leave it dirty day after day, because this will also spoil the appearance of the wood, and may increase the dirt in other parts of your home.
If you’ve got a Bissell Crosswave, you might be wondering whether this is a safe option for cleaning your hardwood. This tool is excellent for cleaning, offering the option to mop, vacuum, and sweep the floor, all at once if you like – but is it safe to put this on wood, or do you need a gentler cleaning option?
Can you use a Bissell Crosswave on hardwood floors? The Bissell Crosswave should be safe to use on sealed hardwood floors, yes. It is not suitable for use on unsealed wood, but the manufacturer advertises it as being suitable for all sealed hardwood floors. It’s a great way to effectively clean your floors, leaving them looking beautiful and shiny, without damaging the wood.
Is the Bissell Crosswave Safe for Hardwood Floors?
The Bissell Crosswave is stated to be safe for sealed hardwood floors by its manufacturer. They claim that it can be used on many hard surfaces, including ceramic, tile, vinyl, and wood. That means you should be able to use this cleaner to remove debris, and mop the floor, leaving it shiny and fresh.
A lot of people love Bissell Crosswave cleaners because they offer a range of features and they can sweep and mop at the same time – which might cut your cleaning time in half if you usually undertake these tasks separately. It picks up all the dry dirt and dust, applies water, and mops the water around all at once.
If you hate the inefficiency of using two tools and going back and forth across your floor multiple times, this is a better option for sure.
It also has a long handle, making it comfortable to use when you’re standing upright, and ensuring you can clean quickly and easily. The brush is soft enough that it won’t damage or scratch the floor as you pass it backward and forward.
Why Can’t You Use It on Unsealed Hardwood Floors?
Unsealed hardwood floors do not have a layer of protection between the wood and the mop. This means that any water that is put on the floor will immediately mark the wood, potentially staining it. It can cause the grain to raise, making the floor rough, and might even cause warping and twisting in the boards. These problems can be major if you mop the floor frequently.
Unsealed hardwood floors should not be cleaned using water, because of the problem with marks. You need to use dry cleaning methods if you have one of these floors, or accept that you may leave behind some water stains as you work.
Some people do use a damp mop or a damp cloth to clean unsealed hardwood, and this can work if you’ve got dirty marks that won’t come off simply by being swept. However, it’s best to do this by hand, so you have full control over what’s being mopped, how much water is being applied, and how quickly it dries.
The Bissell Crosswave is therefore not ideal for cleaning hardwood floors, as it will likely leave unsightly marks and could even damage the wood.
How Often Should You Use the Bissell Crosswave?
This depends on how much use the area gets and how much dirt is tracked into the room, but most guides recommend mopping once or twice per week, even if the room gets a lot of use. Some suggest only once every two weeks. Even sealed hardwood should not be made wet very often, as water could seep through the seal and damage the wood.
The less frequently you can mop – while keeping the floor clean – the better. Dry cleaning is generally better with hardwood.
In a room without much foot traffic, you might only mop once a month, or when the floor starts to look dull or sticky. This should help to maintain the floor. You therefore won’t want to use your Bissell Crosswave very often.
Sweeping is the thing that you should do most frequently when it comes to hardwood, especially in high-use rooms. You want to remove dust and debris from the surface of the wood as often as possible to prevent it from getting trodden into the seal or the wood, so many people sweep as often as once every day or every two days.
Do You Need a Special Cleaning Fluid?
Using the right fluid is important when mopping hardwood, because it could easily be damaged by the wrong kind of cleaner. You can purchase a cleaning formula specifically designed to use with the Bissell Crosswave on hardwood floors, and this might be the best option for maintaining the wood.
You don’t want to risk damaging the sealant on the floor or the wood itself by using cleaners that are too strong. It’s therefore a good idea to choose something that has been specifically formulated for this kind of floor, so you know it won’t damage it, even if you use it frequently.
If you don’t have this cleaning fluid, opt for just water and some mild soap, rather than risking stronger cleaners on your floor. Things like bleach should never be used. White vinegar is suitable for cleaning with, but must be diluted, or the acidity may affect the wood. Avoid other cleaning chemicals.
Final Thoughts
A Bissell Crosswave should be safe to use on a sealed hardwood floor, but should not be used on an unsealed one. It sweeps, vacuums, and mops all at once, and it may therefore cause an unsealed floor to warp, or at least leave marks on it. Use it on a semi-regular basis on your sealed hardwood floors, with an appropriate cleaner, to leave them shining and beautiful.
