Everyone loves the aesthetic appeal of hardwood flooring! It gives the home a quaint comfort that is warm and inviting. But … homeowners who have installed for the first time may be surprised to know that with much hardwood comes much responsibility!The best thing about this is that when it’s maintained well it keeps looking as good as new. To help you maintain the original luster and shine, here are a few quick and easy tips that won’t take up too much of your time.
Give hardwood flooring a quick sweep every other day. Why? It’s hard to imagine but even small specks of dust can rub against hardwood acting like sandpaper. Over time, it can ruin the finishing of hardwood and wear wood down causing it to lose its luster and shine. You may want to invest in a vacuum cleaner that has a mode for hardwood flooring. This helps clean deep into crevices and in between planks. Use non-skid cotton mats at the front door or at the entrance of any room. Why non=skid cotton? Rubber or fiber-backed mats can scratch or stain wood. Wipe spills immediately!Spills can cause the first layer of polish to corrode, particularly spills like milk and pet urine. For this reason, you should wipe anything that has been spilt straightway, whether it’s a coffee spill or just plain water. Why?Leaving liquids to stand long on hardwood floor can lead to crowning and cupping of planks. For bigger spills, use a hardwood floor mop. This mop has a microfiber head that works well with products formulated for wood surfaces. Keep your mop damp but not totally wet when mopping hardwood floors. Use a cleaning solution that contains is opropyl alcohol, which dries up quickly. Never use a mop that has been treated with other cleaners meant for other types of flooring or the bathroom. Why? Other cleaning solutions may contain ingredients that can damage the finishing of hardwood. Avoid using cleaning products that contain wax and/or oil-based floor cleaners.Why? These products usually contain ingredients that can make wood shine for some time but ruin the floor finishing.Instead use premium, high quality floor cleaners that include floor dressing. The dressing helps protect the original finishing. Floor strippers are used to remove dressing so that it can be reapplied. Use polish or wax (sealers) that acts as a protectant for hardwood. This helps to fill in tiny scratches. Buy a de-humidifier if you live in a humid climate. Hardwood is susceptible to damage in high humidity. Most hardwoods come with a humidity range that is ideal for the wood. Below or above this range can lead to harmful effects on hardwood. Wood tends to absorb moisture leading to swelling and warping of wood. It’s worth investing in a de-humidifier. Protect your hardwood flooring from the sun during summer months. The sun can bleach, darken or fade the color of hardwood. Avoid exposing flooring to direct sunlight. Use heavy curtain or if you have vertical blinds point them upwards. Low-E glass can block out much of the UV rays. They’re energy saving, too. Use felt guides or furniture pads on the bottom of furniture legs to avoid scratches and scuffs. Follow these tips and you’ll reap the joy of having hardwood flooring that maintains its luster and shine for years to come. Once in a while, call in the experts . Please contact us at We’d be happy to help answer any of your questions regarding the purchase of hardwood flooring or its maintenance.
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October 2017
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