Caring for your hardwood floor is easier than ever, thanks to today’s modern finishes! Just follow these guidelines and be sure to call us if we can help.
Spills and Spots – Immediately wipe up any spills or spots with a damp cloth.
Vacuum or Sweep – At least every other week, depending on the foot traffic. Don’t let sand and dirt build up.
Clean Regularly:
• Use a either a biodegradable cleaner like Simple Green™ or a Bona™ Hardwood Floor Cleaner.
• Do not use a wet mop. Most mops just don’t wring out thoroughly enough, and even small amounts of water can cause your floor to swell and cup over time.
• Do not clean the floor with furniture polish, vinegar, ammonia, pine cleaners or Murphy’s Oil Soap™. Those cleaners may dull or even damage the finish and will create problems when your floor needs recoating.
Never wax a wood floor-If you’re looking at your hardwood floor and thinking that it looks dull and dingy and just needs to be polished up a bit, don’t try it! Buffing the floor will just dull it further and putting down a layer of wax will prevent you from top-coating it with more finish, which is the correct way to restore sheen to your wood floor.
Protect Your Floor:
• In areas of high traffic, use area rugs to keep wear to a minimum. Move the rugs occasionally to maintain an even color to your finish. Make sure that the rugs have a backing with a mesh or grid pattern which allows the floor to breathe and are approved for hardwood finishes.
• Put mats at all entrances to keep dirt and moisture off the floor.
• Use felt pads, wide vinyl pads or rubber rollers on the legs of furniture and replace them often.
Moving – When moving heavy furniture or appliances, place a masonite board or a sheet of plywood under the piece being moved to distribute the weight and reduce denting and scratching. For lighter pieces, use a clean blanket or a piece of carpet face down under the piece to be moved.
Be Careful – High heel shoes that have lost their protective cap and small stones can scratch and gouge your flooring surface. Excessive sunlight should be blocked with blinds or drapes.
Humidity – Ask us about the proper humidity level needed for your area to keep the wood from shrinking. Never shut off your heating, ventilation or air-conditioning system for long periods of time, such as summer vacation.
Repairs – Consult us immediately to fix areas that have been damaged, scratched, or have a difficult problem, like chewing gum, wax or spills.
Pets-Love them but trim their toenails and wipe up their accidents.
Recoat the Floors Before Any Spot Wears Through to Bare Wood-Wood floors don’t wear evenly. You will see wear first appear in small spots at exterior doors and in front of the refrigerator. Those little worn spots of driftwood cannot be spot-fixed and will require the entire floor to be sanded to fix it. So keep a vigilant eye on trouble spots and recoat the floor BEFORE they wear through.