Hardwood Flooring – Advice For Maintaining Prefinished Surfaces  

The bottom line is that hardwood flooring is meant to be tread upon, and seeing as how family members, houseguests, and pets walk on them all day, they are going to get worn down. Whether every entrance is lined with a rug for collecting dirt, debris will be tracked in and eventually scratch off the finishing, leaving boards vulnerable.

If you would like to know how to keep the beauty and shine of your home‘s hallways and make them last longer, then read on for advice on how to properly care for this aspect of your house.

To properly and efficiently clean your surfaces, you will need a few common, household items: a bucket, some rags, hardwood flooring cleaner, a sponged floor mop, and a soft bristle broom. First thoroughly sweep all wood walkways with the soft bristled broom. Believe or not, firmness of bristles can contribute to wearing away the finish over time. Sweep a couple times a week and after you have guests over. Also, be sure to clean under any rugs that you have.

Next, take your floor mop and cover the end of it with a slightly damp rag. It is a good idea to make this weekly chore. Be sure to go over all dirty areas and then dry them afterwards. When using most cleaners, the instructions usually call for a small amount to be mixed in a bucket of warm water. Do this and mop about once a month. If any spots or streaks appear after mopping, you can wipe them up easily with a soft and clean rag.

As far as prevention goes, it might be wise to change the rules of the house, if only a little. You may want to request that friends and family take their shoes off at the door. In regards to domestic cats and dogs, do not forget about their claws. Be sure and keep them trimmed down, so as to cut down on scratch damages. These measures will not only cut down on wear and tear, but will lead to less dirt being brought in, which can cut down on cleaning other household surfaces, such as carpet.

Concerning hardwood flooring surfaces, it is very important to clean up any spills that occur right away and to never wet mop when cleaning. Boards will absorb liquids and warp if messes are not dealt with properly. Another preventative step is to never wax prefinished boards, as this will only cause build up and a bigger mess.

Taking proper care of your home‘s hardwood flooring is a must if you and your family want them to last. If the boards have sustained damages over time, need to be refinished or even replaced, then consider hiring professionals to take care of the hard part for you. Wood walkways are a significant investment, but with proper maintenance, they can add a natural beauty to your home that can last a lifetime.

Find More Hardwood Floor Cleaner Articles

Recent Posts: