If you’re looking for reliable information on hardwood maintenance, you’ve
come to the smart place.
Hardwood floors are a natural, beautiful and timeless design and decorating element
and consistent and correct maintenance will insure they remain that way.
So check out the following hardwood floor care tips, and be prepared to have family
and friends “check out” your new hardwood floor with envy.
To begin, place walk off mats or area rugs at each entryway to collect dirt and
grit.
Avoid using rubber-backed or non-ventilated mats or rugs as they can damage your
floor.
Instead, use mats or rugs made especially for hardwood floors and shake them out
often.
In addition to entryways, place mats in any areas where water may be splashed, such
as near a kitchen sink.
Buy a good quality broom and sweep your new floor regularly to pick up grains of
dirt, dust and other particles.
A vacuum cleaner, without a beater bar, can be helpful in between planks
and other hard to reach areas.
Once dirt and grease are gone, buffing can help restore the luster of your hardwood
floor.
Understand that cleaning techniques vary depending on the installation and finish
of your hardwood floor.
For general cleaning, we recommend using an 8-inch by 14-inch terrycloth mop with
a rotating head.
Spray on a cleaning product recommended by your sales associate to safely remove
tough stains and spills, without dulling the finish of your floor.
Manufacturers of “pre-finished” hardwood floors recommend their own
products for routine maintenance – we will review these recommendations with
you.
All floors with a urethane finish should never be waxed – they require cleaners
that won’t leave a film or residue.
A hardwood floor cleaner is useful in removing scuffs or heel marks.
Merely spray some cleaner on a cloth and lightly rub the stained area.
Sticky spots can be cleaned with a damp towel or sponge.
Do not use ammonia cleaners or oil soaps on a wood floor as they will dull the finish
and performance of your floor.
These products will also affect the ability to recoat your floor later.
Since wood naturally expands when it is wet, never wet-mop or use excessive water
to clean your floor.
Large amounts of water can cause the wood to swell and may cause your floor to crack
or splinter.
Being a natural product, hardwood will expand and contract with moisture level changes.
Minimize water exposure to hardwood floors and clean up spills quickly.
If your floor is showing excessive wear regardless of cleaning, you may want to
consider screening and recoating.
Screening is the process used to abrade the polyurethane finish on the floor.
Then, fresh coats of urethane are applied. Screening and recoating will rejuvenate
and prolong the life of your hardwood floor.
If the damage to the floor is severe, and has gone through the stain of the boards
down to the bare wood, you can sand and refinish.
This is an extensive process where the floor is sanded down to the bare wood, restained
and then refinished.
But do this only if screening and recoating doesn’t solve the problem.
If the damage is only in a small area you may want to see if replacement boards
are available to avoid having to refinish an entire area.
Be sure to hire an experienced professional when having any work done.
Please be aware that all hardwood floors will fade, darken or change shades over
time and exposure to sunlight will greatly increase this process.
Window treatments are recommended, as well as rotating area rugs and furniture often
to allow floors to age evenly from ultraviolet exposure.
Cover furniture and table legs with protectors to guard your floor against damage.
Take care when moving heavy objects across your floor to avoid scuffing.
Stiletto heels can cause dents and scratches not covered by your warranty.
Love your pet but trim their nails or claws to avoid scratches on the hardwood floor.
The regular cleaning and periodic professional maintenance of your hardwood floor
will insure a home of beauty and charm for years to come.