Hardwood flooring is one of the more popular flooring options for many homeowners. It usually looks much nicer than carpet but typically isn’t nearly as expensive as higher-end tile or stone floors. That doesn’t mean it’s cheap though, especially if you opt for nicer, higher quality woods. For the sake of both getting the most out of it and the appearance of your floor, it’s important to understand how to properly maintain hardwood flooring and protect it from damage.
Cleaning Hardwood Floors
The first thing you need to understand about hardwood floors is how to clean them properly. If you don’t, you’ll decrease the amount of time your floor lasts and could dramatically speed up how quickly it becomes damaged. On the other hand, if you do it right, you’ll be able to extend the life of your floor and keep it looking beautiful. It’s best to take some time daily to clean up any dust or dirt that has accumulated throughout the day. A vacuum, broom, or dust mop can all be viable options for daily cleaning. You may find a microfiber dust mop is more effective since it can more readily pick up smaller particles that vacuums and brooms are more prone to leave behind. Do a deeper cleaning periodically as well, using products that are specifically designed for hardwood floors. Don’t use vinegar water, steam cleaning, or soap-based cleaners. This will help you avoid accidentally damaging your hardwood floor while you clean it.
Polishing the Floor
As time passes you may notice your hardwood floor loses some of that shine that it had when it was first installed, instead of becoming dull and less attractive. Polishing a hardwood floor can help even out any damage that has occurred and can restore the luster and shine. It’s important to note that polish should only be used on hardwood floors with protective surfaces. For those with a more penetrating finish, a hardwood floor wax should be used instead. Start by removing everything from the room and cleaning the floor thoroughly. Once it’s completely dry, you can start polishing it. Apply the polish to the floor in an S shape and then use a flat-surface mop to work the polish into the wood in the same direction as the grain. Smooth out any air bubbles and make sure you cover the whole floor. Organize yourself so that by the end of it you’re at an exit. Allow the floor to dry for at least an hour before allowing anyone to walk on it and at least a day before replacing everything you removed and returning to business as normal.
Prevent Scratches
One of the downsides of hardwood flooring is that it can become scratched relatively easily. Dirt being ground in, walking in heels, and pets with nails that are too long can scratch the floor. Furniture being dragged on hardwood can scratch the floor, but adding felt pads to wood furniture helps prevent damage. Covering the floor with rugs, not walking in heels, and keeping nails trimmed can help prevent scratching, as can regularly cleaning it. Opting for a no-shoe policy in your home, in general, can help prevent dirt, grime, and anything else that can be brought in on people’s shoes from being ground into your flooring. Stocking feet are generally much kinder to floors. Consider having a basket of clean socks that you can offer your guests when they come into your home so you can protect your floors. It’s also good to keep in mind that rugs on hardwood can sometimes lead to people slipping and falling, so add a rubber rug underlayment to the bottom to prevent the rugs from slipping.
Prevent Warping
Water and hardwood floors aren’t usually a happy combination. If the hardwood is exposed to too much water, it tends to warp over time. The obvious solution to warped flooring is to prevent it from happening in the first place. That means limiting the amount of water that comes in contact with it as much as possible. This is exactly why using a steam cleaner on hardwood flooring isn’t recommended, since it combines heat and water and can cause permanent damage. Using water to clean the floor, in general, is inadvisable as well. Clean up any spills immediately. Be on the watch for spots that look hazy or milky, since that can indicate water damage. Keep in mind that you don’t have to have puddles of water on the floor for it to suffer water damage. If the humidity in your home is too high, even that can be enough to damage your hardwood. Monitor the humidity in your home and take steps to reduce the humidity if it gets too high.
Prevent Sun Damage
Conversely to water damage, the sun can also damage your hardwood. This tends to happen because of exposure to the sun’s UV rays. Depending on the type of wood, the exposed portions could become lighter or darker. You may not even notice it until the damage has already been done and you move furniture to expose an area of the floor that hasn’t been exposed to the sun. You could install blinds and shades to reduce exposure, but many people find they prefer to have access to natural light and its benefits. Other options include window films that block UV rays and using wood finishes with UV blocking properties.
Refinishing
If you’ve been less than diligent in the upkeep of your hardwood floor, it may benefit from being refinished. Refinishing a hardwood floor involves completely removing the finish, repairing damaged areas, and then applying a new coat of finish. Depending on the damage you’re looking at, opting to refinish your floor could save you from having to replace it altogether. However, if you keep up on your regular maintenance and damage prevention, this isn’t something you should need to do much at all.
Properly maintaining a hardwood floor and protecting it from damage is an important responsibility for any homeowner who wants to keep their hardwood floor in good condition. To do so you’ll need to understand how to properly clean it and be aware of what could cause it damage. This will help you keep your hardwood floor looking clean and high quality for years to come.
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