Hardwood Floor Maintenance Will Keep Your Hardwood Looking Great

Hardwood is still the most popular type of flooring among homeowners, and it requires little maintenance. Unlike laminate or engineered wood, hardwood can be refinished numerous times, adding years of beauty and warmth to your home while increasing its value and speeding its resale. However, regular floor care is required to keep your hardwood looking its best, and there are four major aspects of hardwood floor care:

1. Hardwood floor cleaning
2. Hardwood floor repair
3. Hardwood floor refinishing
4. Hardwood floor protection
5. Clean Your Hardwood Regularly

Knowing how to clean hardwood floors is essential because dirt and grit, if not removed promptly, will scratch and mark the floor. In addition, dust is more visible on wood floors than on linoleum or carpet, especially in direct sunlight and if the floor has a dark stain. Hardwood floor care entails sweeping and dusting regularly - at least once a week, and after any event that leaves dirt and grit behind. However, regular household dusting and cleaning products will cause damage, so only use hardwood-specific products.

Vacuuming is preferable to sweep because it allows dirt and dust to be drawn from between the boards; however, use a vacuum with a bare floor attachment rather than a beater bar, which can damage the wood.

When a more thorough cleaning is required, use a cleaning method that is appropriate for your floor's finish. If your hardwood floor has a glossy finish, it means that polyurethane, a water-based urethane, or a similar finish was used to form a protective barrier over it. If it has a matte finish, it means the floor has a penetrating seal of oil and/or wax. Water is not an acceptable cleaning agent for either of these finishes, but both can accept a surface, damp-mop cleaning, which means the mop is not wet but only damp to the touch. You are only cleaning the surface and not allowing enough water to penetrate the oiled and waxed hardwood. When cleaning oil and waxed hardwood with a damp mop, you can add a little neutral ph hardwood floor cleaner to the water before dipping the mop into it. A floor with a protective glossy barrier can be cleaned with a generic hardwood floor cleaner as long as it does not contain wax or oil.

In hardwood floor care, the don'ts are just as important as the dos.

1. Avoid using ammonia, regular floor cleaners, household cleaners, or dusting products on hardwood floors.
2. Never use wax on urethane or another glossy finish floor.
3. Never clean hardwood with a wet mop; instead, use a slightly damp mop.

Repair any floor damage as soon as possible:

When your oil and waxed hardwood floors have surface damage, you must usually remove the finish with a wax or oil stripper before dealing with the damage. After finishing the repair, re-wax or re-oil the area. Surface damage occurs less frequently on hardwood protected by polyurethane or a similar type of sealer, and when it does occur, it is less visible. When repairing floors with such finishes, remove the finish from the entire board or boards that have been damaged. Make your repairs, then finish the boards that are consistent with the rest of the floor with a finishing product.

1. Remove the protective finish and rub the watermarks with fine-grade steel wool. If necessary, repeat, clean, and then refinish.
2. Burn marks: Lightly sand the area, pick up the grit with a damp cloth, and refinish as desired.
3. Scratches and gouges: Use matching wood putty or a putty stick to conceal shallow scratches. Sand and refinish the area after it has dried.

Refinishing your worn hardwood floors will bring them back to their original beauty and value.

The most significant improvement you can make to a home with dingy hardwood floors is to refinish them. Begin by making any necessary repairs, then remove all furniture and drapes, and seal the vents and registers in the room to prevent dust from spreading throughout the house. Sanding floors is easiest with a drum sander and an edging machine for the room's sides and corners. These machines can be rented, and it is a good idea to rent a buffer or floor polisher at the same time. Plan on making three passes with your sanding equipment, each time using finer sandpaper. Vacuum thoroughly and use tacking cloths to pick up any fine dust or grit. All dust and dirt must be cleaned up. You can now stain the wood if you want, or leave the natural color and design of the wood - such as the popular oak, maple, or cherry - to show.

Polish and clean the floor again, and then apply your sealer - either a polyurethane or a water-based urethane that provides a protective barrier, or oil and wax that penetrates the wood and protects from within. Read all of the product information carefully, follow all safety precautions, and apply as many coats of stain or sealer as the manufacturer of the products you're using recommends.

Hardwood floor maintenance entails providing ongoing floor protection.

There are several protective measures you can take to preserve the beauty of your hardwood, in addition to regular cleaning, repairing, and refinishing when necessary:

1. Place area rugs and mats in high traffic areas and areas where spills occur frequently (e.g., in front of the stove, sink, and refrigerator). Move these rugs regularly to keep these areas of the floor the same color as the exposed floor. Furthermore, cotton mats are preferable to rubber or vinyl mats because they do not trap water beneath them.
2. Maintain high-heeled shoes in good condition and avoid using stiletto heels.
3. Keep pets' nails trimmed.
4. Wipe up spills right away with a paper towel or a dry cloth. For sticky spills, a damp cloth can be used, but the area should be dried immediately with another towel or cloth.
5. When moving furniture, lift rather than drag it, and use felt contacts under furniture legs to prevent scratches and gouges.
6. Use sheers or blinds to protect your floors from fading caused by direct sunlight.

Your hardwood floors will retain their beauty and complement any décor you choose if properly cared for and maintained. When your floors become worn or damaged, you can restore them to their former glory with a little time, effort, and money. Check out quality products on the Internet, read up on how to use them, compare prices, and place your orders. We can assist you with all of your hardwood floor care needs, from discount hardwood flooring to hardwood cleaners, and all items can be purchased online and delivered to your door. Allow us to assist you in maintaining the appearance of your hardwood floors.

Cesar A Woodworking is currently providing consumers looking for Hardwood Flooring in Manhattan NY, hardwood floor care, and hardwood flooring articles with information and money-saving tips.