Hardwood floor care guide
Understanding the characteristics, proper care and maintenance of hardwood, will ensure your new floors wear well and provide many years of enjoyment. Here are a few tips to help you get started.
Cleaning
Don't damp mop
Avoid oil or water-based cleaners that can build up and create a cloudy haze on your floor. Instead opt for neutral pH cleaners or your manufacturer's recommended cleaning products. Apply hardwood surface cleaner directly to a terry cloth mop instead of the floor and replace your mop when it becomes soiled.
Wipe spills immediately
When accidents happen use a slightly damp white cloth, or paper towel to immediately clean up and dry the affected area. For more difficult spots, follow the manufacturer's recommended cleaning procedures.
Vacuum regularly
Sweeping, dry mopping and vacuuming with a soft bristle brush is key to keeping a floor looking good. Small stones, mud and gritty dirt tracked in from outside can play havoc on the wood floors finish. Use long bristle welcome mats at all outside entrances for people to wipe their feet on before entering onto the floors.
Avoid oil or water-based cleaners that can build up and create a cloudy haze on your floor. Instead opt for neutral pH cleaners or your manufacturer's recommended cleaning products. Apply hardwood surface cleaner directly to a terry cloth mop instead of the floor and replace your mop when it becomes soiled.
Wipe spills immediately
When accidents happen use a slightly damp white cloth, or paper towel to immediately clean up and dry the affected area. For more difficult spots, follow the manufacturer's recommended cleaning procedures.
Vacuum regularly
Sweeping, dry mopping and vacuuming with a soft bristle brush is key to keeping a floor looking good. Small stones, mud and gritty dirt tracked in from outside can play havoc on the wood floors finish. Use long bristle welcome mats at all outside entrances for people to wipe their feet on before entering onto the floors.
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Maintenance
Use the proper chair glides
Any furniture that rests directly on top of a hardwood floor should have felt protectors, or furniture coasters under all its feet. For extremely heavy objects such as a piano, use wide, non-staining rubber cups. Purchasing floor protectors is cheap insurance for protecting your hardwood floor investment.
Protect from direct sunlight
Your wood floor may change color or fade due to exposure to direct sunlight. The sun's UV rays accelerates the oxidation and aging of wood so periodically rearrange your furniture and close the curtains during intense periods of sunlight.
Never wax a urethane wood finish
If your hardwood floor has a polyurethane finish never use a paste wax on the floor's surface. A paste wax may form a sticky film on your floor and allow tracked in dirt to stick to your wood finish. Polyurethane finishes will not adhere to any wax and adding a fresh coat of polyurethane to your floor will be very difficult.
Trim pet's claws
Regularly trim your four-legged friend’s claws to help reduce scratching your floor's finish.
Protect when moving furniture
Lift your furniture to move it and avoid any dragging. Protect your floor with 1/4" piece of plywood or Masonite when using a dolly for moving furniture or appliances. Never slide or roll heavy furniture or appliances across the floor.
Control Humidity Levels
The National Wood Flooring Association recommends maintaining relative humidity range of between 35% - 55% using a dehumidifier or humidifier. Falling above or below this range can result in cupping or gapping.
Any furniture that rests directly on top of a hardwood floor should have felt protectors, or furniture coasters under all its feet. For extremely heavy objects such as a piano, use wide, non-staining rubber cups. Purchasing floor protectors is cheap insurance for protecting your hardwood floor investment.
Protect from direct sunlight
Your wood floor may change color or fade due to exposure to direct sunlight. The sun's UV rays accelerates the oxidation and aging of wood so periodically rearrange your furniture and close the curtains during intense periods of sunlight.
Never wax a urethane wood finish
If your hardwood floor has a polyurethane finish never use a paste wax on the floor's surface. A paste wax may form a sticky film on your floor and allow tracked in dirt to stick to your wood finish. Polyurethane finishes will not adhere to any wax and adding a fresh coat of polyurethane to your floor will be very difficult.
Trim pet's claws
Regularly trim your four-legged friend’s claws to help reduce scratching your floor's finish.
Protect when moving furniture
Lift your furniture to move it and avoid any dragging. Protect your floor with 1/4" piece of plywood or Masonite when using a dolly for moving furniture or appliances. Never slide or roll heavy furniture or appliances across the floor.
Control Humidity Levels
The National Wood Flooring Association recommends maintaining relative humidity range of between 35% - 55% using a dehumidifier or humidifier. Falling above or below this range can result in cupping or gapping.