Protecting and Caring for Hardwood Floors  

Article by Michael Enfield

Your floors endure everyday foot traffic as well as the weight of furniture and appliances. While hardwood is one of the most durable materials for flooring, wooden floors are not immune to the damaging effects of daily wear and tear. They must be properly protected and cared for so that they can truly endure. Fortunately, there are several easy steps that you can take to protect your floors as well as regular professional maintenance that can keep them strong and beautiful for many years to come.

First, hard flooring, whether stone or hardwood, can be scratched by dirt and sand particles that can be tracked in on your shoes. Over time, these scratches can make your floor appear dull. To avoid scratches place door mats at all external doors so your guests can wipe their feet before venturing inside. Additionally, place special cushioning pads on the bases of heavy furniture items, such as on the legs of your dining chairs, so that they do not scuff your floor.

Next, many hardwood floors are covered with a fine layer of wax to protect the floors and keep them looking polished. As they age, though, the wax can wear off or become grimy. Thus, it may have to be cleaned and re-waxed every few years. While you can rent a wax stripper and perform this task yourself, you may wish to entrust this task to a professional who is more experienced.

Additionally, sometimes sunlight, chemicals, and other products can fade or alter the staining or varnish on your floors. To give your hardwood floor a smooth, consistent appearance, you can have it polished then re-stained. You can also change the staining if you wish to darken the appearance of your wooden floors.

Lastly, some hardwood floor types require lacquer or varnish rather than wax. These are basically high-gloss, protective layers that can help protect the surface of your floors. Of course, it is important to thoroughly clean the floor before applying the lacquer as it can trap debris under the surface as it dries.

At WOW Total Cleaning, we know how important your floors are in your life. We can help you make sure that your floors stand the test of time. We can help with hardwood flooring needs such as cleaning, polishing, waxing, and special oil treatments to keep the wood in properly cleaned and conditioned shape. For more information regarding our services, contact an Austin hardwood floor cleaning specialist from WOW Total Cleaning today.

About the Author

The Austin cleaning experts at WOW Total Cleaning have the equipment and expertise to help you with cleaning needs from residential to commercial, carpet to natural stone flooring, air duct cleanout to water damage restoration. To learn more about how we can help you, please contact WOW Total Cleaning today.

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