One of the main reasons to maintain hardwood floors is to prevent scratches and dirt from building up. Regular cleaning and caring for your hardwood floor will help protect your investment. After all, hardwood floors are ageless and exquisite. So, with proper care, they can last for decades.
Even though hard floors are fairly sturdy, they still demand regular and skilled care. Neglecting to maintain your hardwood floors leads to a shorter lifespan, not to mention a dull appearance.
Unfortunately, mopping and vacuuming alone do not count as adequately maintaining hardwood floors. Unlike cement or tile flooring, hardwood floors are full of character. For this reason, they respond differently to wear and tear, humidity, and water. Because these responses are progressive, they may not be noticed in time. Therefore, to extend its life, maintain the sheen and remove scratches, your hardwood floors must be maintained regularly.
3 Tips For How To Maintain Hardwood Floors
The best advice for cleaning your hardwood floors is that it’s not a one-and-done deal. From dirt to salt, rain and mud, seasonal changes come with a varieties of factors that dull your floors. It takes just a little effort to care for your hardwood floors and keep them looking great.
Starting with these 3 great tips:
1. Remove Spills Immediately
To prevent them from soaking up spilled liquids, hardwood floors have an oil or lacquer layer. However, the purpose of this this layer becomes void if fluids are left standing for long periods. Consequently, spills should be cleaned up immediately. Regardless if it’s chemicals, water, or oils.
2. Clean Weekly
It’s important to clean hardwood floors regularly because over time, debris builds up. But there’s a proper way to cleaning various types of flooring. Always use the best cleaner that’s made for your floor’s finish.
Too much liquid can damage floors, while the wrong formula may not work. Look for pH-neutral, nontoxic and biodegradable formulas to clean effectively and keep your environment safe. For example, vinegar can eat away at the finish, even when diluted with water. Use a washable microfiber pad to remove bacteria and keep waste out of landfills.
In general, sweeping is not the best method for cleaning hardwood floors. Why? Because it spreads the dust around the floor and into the air. If, however, you choose to sweep, use a broom with angled soft bristles and sweep with the grain.
3. Polish Quarterly
Polishing not only adds shine, but it also extends the life of your hardwood floors. Before polishing, dust or sweep the floor to remove loose debris. To ensure you’ve picked up all the dirt and dust, follow up with vacuuming.
Every two or three months, use a water-based polish to restore luster and shine. These polishes won’t leave a residue or emit harmful toxins, and they’ll prevent over-cleaning and stripping of your floor.
What If My Hardwood Floors Are Already Damaged?
Tenting, buckling, lifting, cupping, and swollen hardwood floors are beyond cosmetic touch-ups. In this case, you can still restore your floors by reinstalling the wood tiles, sanding, and polishing. This will return the luxuriant long-lasting sheen.
If all the above sounds too daunting, Customized Custodial Services are experts at hardwood floor care. Contact us today for a free quote and facility walkthrough.
