Wooden floors are one of the most durable flooring for all times. No wonder it is one of the top choices of most homeowners. However, utmost care is needed to maintain this kind of floor as they are subjected to wear and tear. They can rot, crack, fade or warp if not given the proper care. Here are some home improvement tips that can help you maintain and keep your hard wood floors lasting for years:
According to Style At Home, maintaining a care schedule daily, weekly and every three months is a must. Every day, surface dirt must be removed by vacuuming the wooden floor. If vacuuming is not possible, sweeping the floor with a dry microfiber mop is enough to keep the floor free from scratch and dirt.
Every week, the surface of the wooden floor must be cleaned with mop damped with a special cleaner. This will remove the moisture from the surface of the wooden floor. For quarterly maintenance, wooden floors must be polished with a water-based product to make it shiny.
BHG recommends deep cleaning of wooden floor to eradicate oil, dirt and grime built up overtime. The perfect time for doing this is before winter or during the spring. Clean the flooring with wood-cleaning product, then damp a sponge or a rug. Damp-mop the wooden floor and then rinse it with a clean mop damped in clean water. To fasten drying, try turning on the AC or fan.
To remove marks on wooden floors, one must check first if their floor is made of hard or soft-oiled finish. Knowing the finishing of the floor determines the type of cleaning that you need.
To remove stains from wooden floors with hard finish, clean it with a soft and clean cloth. Don't rub it with harsh chemicals, steel wool or sandpaper to avoid permanent damage to the flooring.
For soft wood finish, one can use fine steel wool for heel marks. For dark spots and pet stains, clean the floor with steel wool and floor wax. To lighten the stain, apply vinegar or bleach for an hour. Rinse with damp cloth.
