Maintaining Your Hardwood Floors

Fine particles of dirt, sand and dust contain sharp edges that will damage the surface of the floor. Thus it is necessary to sweep or vacuum the floor with a soft bristle brush regularly to ensure that dirt particles do not get imbedded or scratch the floors surface. Note, do not use a vacuum with a beater bar as this can result in damage to the floor.

Wax the floor a minimum once a year or as often as required. Floors subjected to drier climates and environments might require re-waxing slightly more often. Test the floors finish by applying a small amount of water. If the water beads, refinishing is not necessary, however if the water sits on the floor and creates dark spots, then this would indicate that the wax finish has worn and reapplication is necessary. Scratches are easily repaired by utilizing a color coded repair kit or by re-waxing the floor.

Buffing your floor between waxing intervals will restore its original sheen. Use only a manufacturer approved buffing machine that utilizes a fiber bristle brush attachment, and keep in mind that the heavier the buffing machine, the higher the level of resultant gloss.

Wood and water do not mix, thus never wet mop your hardwood floor or utilize a wax that requires mixing with water prior to application. Always mop up water spills immediately, as water allowed to sit on the surface will damage the floor beyond repair.

Place door mats at all exits and entrances to your home in order to restrict the tracking in of dirt that will scratch the floor. When placing rugs on a wood floor, ensure to utilize a non slip rug padding that is not manufactured using rubber, foam or plastic as these will discolor the floor. The color and shade of hardwood floors is affected by environmental factors such as sunlight, thus any part of a floor that is covered by a rug will vary in color over time compared to the rest of the floor that is exposed to light. Thus, if at all possible, it is advisable to rotate the rug to different areas of the room, allowing covered areas to be exposed to natural light and will result in a more consistent shading of the floor over time.

Place floor protectors under all furniture legs to avoid marking, denting and gouging, and be especially careful when moving furniture so as not to scratch the floors surface. Also beware of shoes with stiletto heals, as these easily dent hardwood floors.

Urethane or Polyurethane Floors

Surface finishes consist of synthetic resins, most commonly urethane or polyurethane, and remain on the surface forming a protective barrier. These are the most widely used finishes due to their high level of durability, water resistance, ease of maintenance and are available with a matt, semi-gloss and high–gloss appearance.

Routine maintenance involves regular sweeping or vacuuming. Use only a soft bristle brush or a vacuum head made of brush or felt. Do not use vacuums with beater bars or hard heads as these will scratch and damage the floor. The floor can be damp mopped once a week, however ensure that the mop is dried of excess water to prevent water staining and damage and open windows to ensure sufficient ventilation which will facilitate quick drying.

Topical water spills should be mopped up immediately, as water left standing on a hardwood floor will result in permanent damage that cannot be remedied, except by way of replacing the damaged boards. Also place rugs around all wet areas such as kitchen sinks, while ensuring that these rugs are composed of breathable materials in order to prevent moisture entrapment.

Small particles of dust and sand contain sharp edges that if left on the surface will result in scratching. It is thus advisable to place door mats at all entrances and exits to ensure that tracked-in dirt is kept to a minimum. Additionally, keep the nails of pets trimmed to minimize the occurrence of scratches and gouging.

Never use any of the following products on your floor: ammonia-based cleaners, acrylic finishes, wax-based products, detergents, bleach, polishes, oil soap, abrasive cleaning soaps, or acidic materials such as vinegar. Always use the manufacturers recommended cleaning materials.

Hardwood floors are susceptible to environmental factors such as sunlight which results in fading, thus protect your floor form direct sunlight and harmful UV rays.

Minor abrasions and scratches can be repaired with the use of approved finish reconditioning products and approved repair kits. Refer to manufacturers guidelines for approved methods. Individual planks, strips or parquets that are heavily gouged or damaged can be replaced, and if necessary the entire floor can be refurbished using a manufacturer approved finishing coat.

Substances such as chewing gum and wax can be removed by first hardening the substance by placing a plastic bag filled with ice upon the deposit and then scraping with a plastic scraper. Once removed, utilize an approved cleaner to treat the affected area.