A hardwood floor enhances the beauty of a home. Featuring a combination of durability and elegance, wood flooring requires proper care and maintenance to deliver an outstanding result. There are certain steps that you can take to prevent grit, dirt and any residue off of your floor. Since they receive huge foot traffic on a daily basis, hardwood floors are vulnerable to dirt and dust. These particles, as tiny as they look, can cause havoc on your floor. This is why hardwood floor maintenance Boulder CO is important to help maintain its beauty.
Know Your Floor
Before you get your cleaning tools, it is important to know the type of floor installed in your home. Check to see if the floor is sealed. If so, what sealant did the installer use? Your method of cleaning depends on the type of finish you have. It has nothing to do with the wood type. There are many ways to know this – its either you do a floor test or ask the company you hire for hardwood floor maintenance Boulder CO. Here is a little technique for DIY testing. Rub your finger across the floor; if there is no smudge, then it is surface sealed. If, on the other hand, a smudge appears, then the wood floor has been treated with a penetrating seal and waxed afterward. Many installers seal the floor with urethane, polyacrylic or polyurethane to make it resistant to water and stain. If you install these kinds of glossy floors, then they are easy to clean and maintain. All you have to do is sweep and mop regularly, and your floor will be back to normal.
The case is quite different for oil treated floors. You will have to put in the extra effort. This is because the wood absorbs the oil finish making it hard right from within so you will have to put in a little extra effort. Liquid wax or paste can do the cleaning trick.
To ensure your wood floor remains functional and durable for years to come, you must keep it clean at all times. This will prevent build up of dirt and dust which eventually causes scratches on the wood. Regular cleaning keeps the dust out. Keep synthetic doormats at the entrance to collect dust and dirt particle before entering the home. Remember not to use mats with an abrasive coated bottom.
Tips on Hardwood Floor Maintenance Boulder CO
Here are some useful tips on how to care and maintain your wood floor, so it remains shiny and attractive for long.
- Don’t leave water or other spills on the floor for long. Always clean any liquid spill immediately.
- Use quality cleaning solutions specially designed for hardwood floors.
- Clean your hardwood floor regularly.
- Always lift heavy furniture above the sfloor surface if you are making any modification. Do not drag across the floor to prevent damage.
- Install leg protector pads under all furniture legs
- If you have pets, cut off their claws to prevent scratches.