The most distinctive feature of hard wood floor that enables them to impart that unique and rich look is that no two floors can be made to look alike as the grain structure of natural wood varies along its length and breadth. Another unique feature is that a well maintained floor, over the years, develops its own distinctive shine that is hard to beat. Since ages hard wood floor have been in use because of these features. It’s not difficult to maintain such floors but it needs time and attention to make them to continue to look that impressive. Here are a few hints for the lovers of this natural material to help them maintain its uniqueness.
Daily Care
It’s not difficult tom guess that dirt, sand and grit are the three elements that spoil the health and thus the looks of hardwood floors. These externals get embedded into the cracks and gaps between the slats and boards. To prevent such elements from spoiling the finish of floors it’s important to regularly employ a vacuum cleaner with a non-reciprocating brush attachment. A non-reciprocating brush is specifically mentioned because a reciprocating brush itself can scratch the top most layer of natural wood. At least once a month, if not twice, clean the grime with a slightly damp mop. It’s not advisable to be using products like dry mop Swifter because such mops tend to push the dirt and sand under the cloth and across the surface, creating the effect of a sandpaper application.
It’s a smart idea to incorporate small rugs and doormats in frequently used parts of the floor. These aids successfully absorb a good part of damaging elements before they go to damage your floor.
Not so long ago, such kinds of floors were treated with wax or varnish to get the required shine and to prevent the damaging elements from affecting the top most surface of wood. These days they use polyurethane that adds to the durability. Generally this treatment is given before installation, thus the joints do not get any sealing to protect entry of water or any fluid for that matter. Irrespective of any finishing material used, it is of utmost importance to wipe of the floor with an absorbent material if you happen to spill over any liquid or food on the floor. Otherwise, the fluid would seep down the slats or boards and cause the wood to warp.
At times even if you act swiftly to wipe off the liquid, you may have stains left over the surface. Such stains can be removed by using a wood floor cleaner and one should never use liquid soaps for the purpose. Mix the wood floor cleaner with a mixture of vinegar and water. Use this mixture to wipe off the stain with a clean towel or paper tissue. If this mixture fails to remove the stain, you might be required to use an extra-fine sand paper of 600 grit or some steel wool of size 0000. Take care to rub the sandpaper or steel wool in the direction of the grains of wood. Having thus removed the stain, buff the affected area with a clean cloth and if so needed, apply wax or varnish or polyurethane as per the original finishing material.
Quarterly Care
Make it a practice to clean hardwood floors once in each quarter to prevent accumulation of grime and grease. Use only a floor cleaner with neutral pH.
You should never use any abrasive material for cleaning of hardwood floor. Nor should you use liquid soap detergents, or cleaners with ammonia content. Use of any of these materials may deprive the wood floor of its sheen.
Floors with a wax finish should be buffed at least once a year if not twice. Scuffmarks that appear on waxed floor may be removed by spot buffing as and when needed. Mind you, a hardwood floor with a protective coating of polyurethane should never be buffed or waxed.
Preventative Care
It’s always helpful to take a few preventive measures to retain the looks of your hardwood floor. Avoid direct contact of furniture legs with the floor by using felt pads. This simple measure prevents the floor from getting dented or gouged. Take measures to prevent heavier or sharp items from falling on the floor to prevent formation of dents in the wood. Waxed or varnished wooden floors should be prevented from direct exposure to the sun as it fades away the natural color of hardwood floors and turns them yellowish. If the floor has been treated with varnish or wax it will be helpful to keep the curtains drawn while the sun is around. However, sunlight does not affect floors with a coating of polyurethane. Sunlight certainly affects most of the floors that have been treated with non-synthetic materials.
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