Solid hardwood floors are touted as one of the best ways to help with your home’s resale value. Fortunately, they are one of the easiest kinds of floors to keep clean, sanitary, and looking beautiful. They do need a little help, though, to keep their warmth and character. It’s important to know how to prevent damage to your solid hardwood floors, and Ron’s Total Home Services has a few tips to help you maintain your hardwoods for years to come.
Prevention
Taking care of your hardwood floors starts with protecting them from unnecessary damage or fading. Here are a few important tips to remember:
Protect from dirt & grit. Old hardwood floors often look scuffed and like someone drew sandpaper across them, and dirt and grit are generally the culprits. Place floor mats at each door, as well as being careful to remove your shoes when you come inside, to keep from tracking dirt in with you.
Address water & other spills. Never leave a puddle of water just sitting there on hardwood; over time, it can warp the wood and ruin the finish. Simply wipe up all spills as they happen.
Utilize hard cleaners. Oil-based soaps should always be avoided. They don’t truly wash off, instead slowly building up and creating problems with maintenance later on. Instead, neutral pH cleaners made specifically for wood floors are recommended.
Move furniture with care. Are you one of those who periodically loves to rearrange the furniture? Make sure you enlist help and always carry furniture, never dragging it. The feet of a heavy couch or chair can easily leave scratches in hardwood floors that can be tough to get out, or simply wear the finish down over time. Felt contacts under the legs will help prevent scratches.
Avoid dents. Vacuum with a brush attachment – don’t use vacuums with beater bars.
Understand the impact of sun light. Direct sun can fade and discolor your hardwood floor. Close curtains and blinds, or consider adding sheer drapes to protect from the sun’s intense UV rays.
Regular Care
Aside from preventing damage, it is also important to actively care for your floors. Hard wood floors are an investment and should be treated accordingly.
Sweep. Snd sweep often. Pay attention to baseboards and corners. Brooms with fine, exploded ends will be the best for picking up dirt and dust effectively.
Vacuum. Canister vacuums with special bare floor attachments are the surest way to get rid of all the dirt and dust. Just like with sweeping, special care should be given to baseboards and corners where it’s easy for dirt to get trapped and settle in.
Dust Mop. Use a good dust mop — one with a 12- to 18- inch cotton head — and a special dust mop treatment. Spray the treatment onto the mop head 12 to 24 hours before dust mopping.
Finally, be sure to reach out to Ron’s Total Home Services if your hardwood floors are in need of a professional clean or restoration. Maybe you’ve moved into an older home, and the previous owners didn’t take very good care of the floors. Perhaps you’ve had dust build-up and scratches from chairs being dragged across the floor day after day. Give us a call and let us come help you make those floors shine!
