Hardwood flooring can significantly improve the overall appearance of a house, giving it an elegant and classy look. But to ensure these floors only add to the home’s charm rather than detract from it, proper maintenance is essential. Moreover, changing weathers affect the flooring over time. Regardless of the type of wood used —whether pine, oak, maple, or another variety —the maintenance tips remain largely the same for all hardwood floors.
Do not let spills sit for too long
One of the most important practices one can implement for protecting hardwood floors from damage is to avoid letting any spills sit for long. It is important to wipe them clean immediately because liquid spills tend to easily penetrate into the wood, leading to permanent stains. In worse cases, liquid spills can cause the wood to warp and lose its shape.
Wood is extremely sensitive to moisture; exposure to liquids for a long time can cause it to swell or shrink, which is why it warrants immediate wiping or cleaning of any spillage. However, when cleaning, make sure to use a damp cloth and then follow this with a dry cloth right away. While a damp cloth is required for cleaning the spillage, any moisture left on the floor can also harm the wood. Drying the area immediately with a clean, dry cloth can prevent further damage.
Invest in furniture pads
In addition to fluid spillages and moisture, scratches are another threat to hardwood flooring. Most of the time, these scratches often result from the constant dragging and moving of the furniture, such as dragging chairs or shifting tables. While it may not always be possible to avoid moving furniture, preventing scratches on wood flooring is certainly doable to further reduce the risk of wood damage.
One effective way to prevent scratches is by investing in furniture pads. These pads are basically thick protective coverings that are attached to the base of the furniture pieces, providing enough cushioning between the furniture and the floor. They come in various materials, including rubber, cotton, felt, and plastic, among others, allowing one to choose the best option according to one’s needs.
For heavy furniture, it is important to lift rather than drag them, even with the use of furniture pads, to minimize the risk of damaging the wood flooring.
Follow a regular cleaning schedule
Maintaining a routine care and cleaning schedule for hardwood flooring is one of the most effective ways to keep the floors in good condition. Since wood flooring is sensitive to moisture, one needs to be careful about their approach to cleaning in terms of the process and the products used in the process. In terms of daily care, one can stick to sweeping and dusting the floor. In fact, daily sweeping can go a long way in preventing scratches on the wood flooring. Dust can accumulate over time, whether from the environment or shoes and if left untreated, it can scratch the wooden surface. Additionally, settled dust on the floor can pose a hygiene issue, making daily sweeping an essential task.
In addition to daily sweeping, vacuuming the area should be added to the daily hardwood flooring care routine, ideally on a weekly basis. The process can effectively remove any dust or debris that remains after sweeping. If manual vacuuming seems like a chore, consider investing in a robot vacuum cleaner to make the process easier.
Besides dusting and vacuuming, hardwood floors also need deep cleaning, but with caution. One of the most common mistakes people make in hardwood floor maintenance is using harsh, ammonia-based products. Because wood is susceptible to sensitive ingredients like ammonia, alkaline cleaners, and harsh chemicals, they damage its finish and make the floor dull. As a safe alternative, consider purchasing special hardwood floor cleaners created with gentle formulas. Relying on these cleaners and avoiding harsh detergents can prove to be one of the best practices for cleaning hardwood floors. Using these products at least once a month can effectively keep the floors clean.
If one wants to opt for a DIY approach, one can create a gentle cleaner at home for hardwood floor care. To make it, simply mix warm water with a few drops of natural dish soap in a bucket. Further, use a microfiber mop to clean the hardwood flooring, ensuring that the mop is slightly damp and not soaking wet. After mopping, run a dry microfiber mop over the floor to remove any access moisture.
Polish the floor every three months
Apart from cleaning, it is essential to polish hardwood floors occasionally to maintain their shine. Polishing is not only effective in enhancing the appearance of wood floors but also extends their lifespan by filling in scratches and creating a protective barrier. To polish hardwood floors at home, all one would need is a wood polish solution and a clean, dry mop.
Before going ahead with polishing, ensure that the floor is thoroughly cleaned to achieve an even surface. A good time to polish the floor is right after vacuuming and mopping the floor with a gentle cleaner. For optimal results, it is recommended to polish hardwood floors once every three months.