Are you looking after your hardwood flooring?
Hardwood floors look great, last a long time, and increase your home value. Unfortunately, many homeowners don’t know how to look after their hardwood floors. Some are even damaging them without meaning to. But hardwood flooring maintenance doesn’t have to be difficult.
Read on for seven hardwood flooring maintenance tips to keep your floors sparkling.
1. Vacuum on a Regular Basis
The key to keeping hardwood flooring in good condition is to keep debris off it. If there is a bit of debris on the floor and you tread on it, it’s like sandpaper. You can scratch and ruin the surface.
All you need to do to avoid this is to give them a daily sweep. Where possible, vacuum on a regular basis with the hardwood vacuum attachment. This will help protect your floor from any bristly attachments. The strong suction also helps bring up any debris and dirt caught in the grooves, grains, and planks.
2. Dust Each Day
One of the most underestimated tips is to dust each day. It’s also one of the easiest. A daily dust-off will help keep dirt and debris at bay that could scratch or damage the floor’s surface.
Mopping daily will also reduce the number of allergens in your home. A mop with a microfiber attachment is most effective in picking up debris and allergens. The smaller fibers can get into the grains and grooves.
3. Use the Right Cleaning Product
For hardwood flooring, there isn’t a set product to use for a deep clean. Different finishes have different needs. The best thing to do is to see what product your flooring/finish manufacturer recommends.
You should avoid using any harsh chemicals on your hardwoods. It can haze up any finishes, which over time will look horrible. Also avoid any products that they say they’ll polish, shine or rejuvenate wood floors.
This implies when you use them, they’ll layer on an extra product. It might make the floors look nice for a short period of time, but it won’t be hard-wearing.
4. Avoiding Water Damage
If you have any liquid spill onto the hardwood flooring, clean it up immediately. For wet shoes, place a mat at the door when entering your home. For any water that gets under the mat, take it up and clean it straight away.
In winter, make sure you kick the snow and ice from your shoes before you go inside. Otherwise, it will melt and get over the floor. If the mat gets wet, hang it up and let it dry out.
Make sure to shut windows and doors when it’s raining. You shouldn’t use a mat with a rubber backing either, as it can cause damage. You should instead use a mat designed for solid hardwood flooring.
5. Look For Warning Signs
In start temperature and humidity changes, wood can react in a big way. It’s important you understand your home environment and how it affects your floors. But things happen, and sometimes it’s out of your control.
One of our best hardwood flooring tips is knowing the red flags and what to spot early, as it could well save your flooring from disaster. Wood is a natural product, so it can let you know when it’s in trouble.
Too much moisture below, on/in, or around the wood, it will cup and bow. You’ll need to find the water source and remove it to stop this.
Conditions that are too dry will cause cracking, splitting, and gapping. You’ll want to use a humidifying here, to introduce a little moisture to the air so it can settle down again.
6. Touch Up Scratches on the Surface
A good DIY touch up involved using olive oil and apple cider vinegar. In fact, apple cider vinegar is good for a lot of things; it’s handy to have around not only for flooring issues.
Mix them together and apply them to the scratches. Leave it for a few hours and then wipe it away. You should see an improvement in their appearance.
If that doesn’t work, then you can follow the follow scratch repair steps:
- Wash the affected area with your preferred floor cleaner. Focus on this area using a cleaning cloth, and make sure it is clear of dirt and debris.
- Wash away the cleaner with a damp rag and pat dry the area.
- Use a wax stick to fill in the scratch (clear or wood colored). If needed, use a putty knife to push the wax down.
- Use a fresh cloth to buff out the scratch. This smooths the area, removes excess wax, and gives an even finish.
7. Carry Out Quarterly Polishes
Polishing will help extend the lifespan of your hardwood floor. It also adds an appealing shine if done every 2-3 months.
Before you polish, sweep and clean the floor and let it dry. Follow up with a vacuum to be extra sure. Then use a water-based polish on your flooring to give it its shine and luster back.
These types of polish don’t leave a residue or give off harmful toxins. It also stops any stripping of the floor’s finish or any over-cleaning.
Urethane-based polishes are durable and have a quick drying time. They also prevent waxy build-up and provide a protective layer from small scratches. For older, more worn floors, it also helps to even out their color and texture.
Hardwood Flooring Maintenance Doesn’t Have to Be Hard
Hardwood flooring is a great addition to any home. They look great, feel sturdy, and are as durable as any floor you will find.
Hardwood floors add drama to any style of home from colonial to modern industrial. This makes them a versatile, strong choice for any interior design style you may have.
By keeping up with your hardwood flooring maintenance, you’ll ensure yours stays in top condition; giving your home the benefit of strong, good looking flooring for years to come.
If you found this article useful, be sure to check out our other blog posts.
