The Popular Cleaning Ingredient That Will Ruin Bamboo Floors

If you are a homeowner with bamboo flooring, consider yourself lucky. Bamboo tiles are one of the most popular and sought-after flooring options because of their natural, organic origins and aesthetically pleasing appearance. They are certain to catch the eye of your guests and will surely earn you a lot of compliments, too! Since your bamboo floors are such a prize, of course, you want to keep them in pristine condition. But before you rush and grab your usual household cleaning products, there are a few things that you need to know before you begin scrubbing away. 

Since bamboo is a natural and organic material, it is a bit more sensitive than other flooring, such as synthetic tiles, for example. Bamboo can easily be stained, scratched, and warped from the utilization of incompatible chemicals. Pure vinegar, one of the most commonly used household cleaning agents, can be especially detrimental to bamboo flooring. 

Often touted as one of the most effective and versatile household cleaning products, vinegar has probably already made its way into your cleaning cabinet. Vinegar possesses very strong antibacterial and antifungal properties, which allow it to easily cut through dirt, grease, grime, and even mold and mildew. 

However, with an average pH level between 2 to 3, vinegar is a highly acidic substance, and acid does not quite mesh well with bamboo flooring. The acid found in vinegar runs the risk of corroding your bamboo tiles' natural finish and leaving stains, scratches, and dullness in its place. Additionally, if vinegar were to seep into the bases of the floors, it could completely warp and distort the appearance of the tiles. 

So, for the sake of preserving your beautiful bamboo flooring, avoid using vinegar or any product that contains it when cleaning your floors.