Hardwood Floor Care Tips & Tricks
By following a few simple rules today, you can minimize the need for repair and refinishing tomorrow. Dirt, grit and sand act like sandpaper to scratch, dent and dull hardwood floors. Place floor mats at entrances to trap dirt. It is recommended that you sweep, vacuum or dust mop at least once a week.
- Sweeping with fine, exploded end brooms trap dust and grit effectively.
- When vacuuming, use a brush attachment.
- Do not use a vacuum with beater bars because this can cause damage to your floor’s finish. Canister vacuums with special bare floor attachments are the best way to remove dirt and dust from your hardwood floor.
- Use a dust mop with a 12 to 19 inch cotton head. Check with flooring manufacturer if a mop treatment is recommended.
- Water and other standing liquids can damage a floor’s finish by causing the hardwood to warp. Starting at the edge and working towards the center; wipe up spills, pet accidents and other mishaps immediately.
- Furniture should be moved by lifting, not dragging! Felt contacts under furniture legs are a good preventative maintenance item for protecting your floor from dents and scratches arising out of routine furniture use.
- Sunlight can cause discoloration over time. Close curtains and blinds or add sheer drapes to protect your hardwood floor from the intense ultraviolet light of the sun.
- Shoes with exposed nails and heel supports are sure to dent any floor.
Special Tips for Polyurethane Finished Hardwood Floors
For general cleaning, Mulder Floors recommends Bona Swedish Formula Hardwood Floor Cleaning products.
You may also use a mild solution of 1⁄4 cup white vinegar to 1 quart of luke-warm water. With a spray bottle, spray a small amount of solution on a mop or cloth and work in a small area and then buff the area dry. Continue until the entire floor has been cleaned.
When luster does not return to high traffic areas, the floor may require recoating. We are more than happy to help you decide if a recoating is right for your floor.
You should never wax a surface finish. The wax (in most cases) will be very slippery, and in all cases, will disqualify the floor from being recoated as the floor will have to be continually maintained by waxing. Acrylic-impregnated floors require a spray and buff technique as recommended by the floor covering manufacturer.