Hardwood must be protected from invasive chemicals and concentrated wear to keep its qualities and perform at its best.
Hardwood flooring is not a trend or a fashion; it is a classic option with timeless beauty. It does follow some trends when it comes to color and finishes, but it’s ultimately a fantastic, natural material made to last and bring durability and warmth to your home.
If you decided to go with hardwood flooring, then you must know that it does require special maintenance. As with many natural materials, hardwood must be protected from invasive chemicals and concentrated wear to keep its qualities and perform at its best.
Here are some simple tips to help you make sure you get the most out of your hardwood floors.
Avoid Using Regular Cleaners
Harsh, strong cleaners can affect hardwood irreversibly. You might be tempted to clean your floors regularly with a strong product, but they don’t need to be scrubbed that often. It is enough to keep the varnish shiny and clean and dust it from time to time.
Regular cleaners, especially universal ones, can seriously damage the finish of your hardwood floors, dulling them or even staining them. So, when you choose hardwood for your interior, be sure to invest in specialty wood cleaning products and tools.
Keep Water from Pooling on the Floor
If your mopping style is throwing a lot of water on the floor and then wiping it off with a clean mop, don’t come near your hardwood floors. The excess water will lead to cracks, discoloration, and swelling.
When cleaning your floors, it is important to wipe any excess moisture off the tiles. You need to keep your hardwood floor dry if you want it to last.
Clean and Renovate Regularly
As we have mentioned before, your hardwood floor needs regular maintenance. That includes cleaning, waxing, and repolishing. You may need to do these operations more often or only from time to time, depending on how heavy the traffic in your space is.
For example, heavy traffic areas like the hallways are meant to be waxed every three years and cleaned nearly every day. Less frequented areas will not need as much maintenance, but you need to do the bare minimum, at least. Our floor cleaning specialists can help you determine what you can do to properly care for your floors.
Protect Your Hardwood Flooring
Its gorgeous look and durability make hardwood flooring an excellent option. However, there are cases when you need to protect it by covering it with carpets, rugs, and mats. You can concentrate on the most used areas and choose small rugs.
Be sure to clean these often, as the dirt that accumulates in them can be corrosive to your flooring.