Hardwood Floor Maintenance 101
Have you recently made the switch from carpet to hardwood? Or did you move into a new home, and you’re worried about scuffing that beautiful new floor? Hardwood floors are a gorgeous addition to your home, but they also require care and attention. Whether you have scratches on your hardwood floor and you need an easy way to repair them, or you want to know what sort of daily cleaning is required when you have hardwood floors, we’ve put together a guide on how to properly care for your hardwood floors. Check it out!
How To Properly Care For Your Hardwood Floors
Depending on the type of finish on your floor, daily maintenance differs. Find out if your floor is covered with polyurethane or wax. To figure this out, drip a couple of drops of water onto the floor. If the water beads up, the floor is most likely coated with polyurethane. If the water soaks into the floor after a few minutes, the floor is most likely covered with wax.
Daily Maintenance
To keep your floors in the best possible shape, you need to take care of them daily. By keeping up with regular maintenance, you’ll protect your floor from scratches and scuff marks. Every day, you should make sure to dust and sweep your floor. A good option for hardwood floors is a microfiber cleaning pad. Microfiber cleaning pads work by using static electricity to trap dirt, dust, and other allergens. When using a microfiber cleaning pad, make sure to keep the pad to the floor while cleaning. Otherwise, the dirt may not stay trapped in the pad and will just get pushed around your home.
Weekly Maintenance
To keep your floors clean for a healthy and good-looking home, you should mop and vacuum once a week. By doing this, you’ll be able to take care of the problem areas of your home, such as corners and the spaces between the wood boards. The more consistently clean you keep your floors, the longer they’ll stay in good condition. Keep in mind that water isn’t good for the life of the wood, so make sure not to put too much cleaner on the floor.
How To Clean Hardwood Floors With a Wax Finish
For floors with a wax finish, make sure to use cleaners that are designed to be used on waxed floors. The wax finish can deteriorate after exposure to certain solvents as well as any cleaning solution that’s too acidic or basic. The best way to clean a wax wood floor is to use a nonabrasive scrub pad alongside mineral spirits to clean the floor. Water may damage the floors if the finish has worn down. Some sources advise using vinegar and water to clean waxed hardwood floors, but we do not recommend this. Use cleaners specifically designed for hardwood floors with a wax finish.
How To Clean Hardwood Floors With a Polyurethane Finish
If your hardwood floors have a polyurethane finish, make sure only to use cleaners that won’t harm the finish. Polyurethane-coated floors require the use of mild, pH-neutral cleaners. A small amount of dishwashing soap in a bucket of water is sufficient. However, the best choice is a cleaner specifically designed for use on polyurethane-coated wood floors. Make sure to use as little water as possible, because standing water damages wood flooring. After cleaning the floors, make sure to clean the area with a soft microfiber cloth properly.
Cleaning Up Spills
Using a soft microfiber cloth to clean up spills on a hardwood floor keeps your floor’s finish shiny!
Any time there’s a spill on your hardwood floors, you should take care to clean it up as soon as possible. Spills happen, no matter how careful you are! They may happen a little more often with kids and pets running around the house. It’s part of life, but when it happens, knowing how to clean up a spill properly can make a difference in your hardwood floor’s life. Use a cloth to absorb the liquid from the spill, and then use a damp cloth (not wet) to wipe up the excess residue. If the spill has dried, use an appropriate pH-neutral cleaner to clean up the stain. Don’t use acidic cleaners such as ammonia and vinegar, as these can damage the finish on your floor, dulling its appearance.
Other Helpful Tips to Extend Your Floor’s Usable Life
There are a few things you can do to help extend your hardwood floor’s life and protect it from blemishes, scratches, and scuffs.
1. Place Rugs At All Entryways
One way to protect your wood floors is to place throw rugs at every entryway in the home. This practice will reduce the amount of dirt and bacteria tracked into and throughout your home. Another good idea is to place rugs near sinks in case they overflow.
2. Attach Felt Protectors To Your Furniture
Furniture can scratch your beautiful floor. To prevent scratches, use felt furniture protectors on the bottom of your furniture. This way, the furniture slides across the floor instead of scratching the finish.
3. Don’t Buff or Wax Polyurethane Floors
If your hardwood floors are coated with polyurethane, make sure you do not buff or wax the floor. Polyurethane doesn’t need to be waxed, and you could accidentally create a hazardous environment at home. Polyurethane floors can get extremely slippery if buffed or waxed!
4. Do Not Steam Clean Hardwood Floors
Do not use a steam cleaner for your hardwood floors. Water and wood don’t mix!
How Can Woodfloor Masters Help?
If you need hardwood floor repair or installation in Vancouver, look no further than Woodfloor Masters. We’ve been serving the Vancouver area for over a decade, and we take pride in our work. The owner comes out to all jobs, and your satisfaction is our priority. Call today to get started on the repair or installation of your hardwood floor!