Hardwood floors give homes an elegant look, but if you don’t know how to maintain them properly, you may end up ruining them. You need to avoid the following costly mistakes:
1.Waiting too long
No matter where you have installed hardwood floors in your home, there are different types of dirt that can accumulate. Grease, grime and foods are just some of it, and these stick on hardwoods like crazy. If they build up over time, removing them can be a daunting task. The finish of the hardwood floor can easily be degraded by oil and grease. Staining will then follow, and then you’ll end up with bad looking material. On the other hand, foods that remain stuck on the wood surface will make you to scrub with more force, which will most likely translate into more scratching. Never wait until it’s too late. You can easily get rid of dirt by cleaning it as soon as possible. Spilled something? Use some paper towel to quickly dispatch it.
2. Ignoring provided instructions
The contractor who did your flooring has most likely given you a manual that explains the basic floor maintenance rules. If your contractor didn’t provide one, call and ask about this manual. Your hardwood floors can either be pre-finished or finished. Each of these has special instructions on how to be cleaned. When cleaning hardwood floors, always turn to the manual for proper cleaning guides. If you are hiring someone else to do it, don’t assume that they know it all. You ought to issue them with a manual.
3. Cleaning with the wrong product
There are many products available in the market that are purported to be safe for all types of hardwood floors. Don’t trust their “glowing” advertisement on media, because they are not always true. The manufacturer can claim that it can give your floor a shiny appearance after its use, but the bitter truth is that it may accumulate on the floor, damaging it more than it was. Always ask your contractor about the best hardwood cleaning product, preferably one that doesn’t add residue. You can also read different reviews about various products used for its cleaning; it will help you find those which have been seconded by others.
4. Using a vacuum with a rotating brush
No matter the specifics of its bristles, using a rotating brush is never recommended on bare floors, not only because the dirt will fly around instead of being sucked in, but also because of its abrasiveness. In other words, the brush roll needs to be turned off when cleaning a hardwood floor. Special floor attachments can also be used, such as the Fluffy Roll from a Dyson V6, or the Hard Floor Genie from a Shark Rocket. Remember, scratching your hardwood floor will automatically ruin its beautiful look.
Dyson Fluffy V6 soft roller head
5. Allowing contractors to skip corners
There is no doubt: not all vacuum cleaners reach all corners of your floor. That does not mean that they should be shunned. If a contractor is doing the task, make sure he/she handles these areas by hand. If this place is not maintained, it will look ugly and different from other floor parts that shine. The floor plinths also need to be taken care of professionally.
6. Giving too much drenching
Long gone are the days when floor finishes were not resistant to water. Nowadays they are, but that should not give you the go ahead to flood them with a solution of detergent. Don’t soak the mop for too long, just do it gently, with a good squeezed material, and then clean the floor with a dry cloth.
7. Allowing the floors to sunbathe
Ultraviolet rays are not only damaging to your skin but also your wood floors. Exposing hardwood to sun will cause it to change its color. Prevent light from penetrating through open doors and windows. Cover these areas with curtains or use special UV glass treated to minimize sun rays from directly hitting the floors.
8. Using the wrong pad
The wood floor color can be damaged when using particular types of mats. The best pads are those that have rubber bottoms.
9. Using steam Willy-Nilly
Old or waxed wood floor finishes should never be cleaned with steam. A steam mop can however be used when the floor is well intact, on sealed wood only. The level of steam needs to be set on the lowest option. You should also avoid stopping over one area for longer periods of time.
10. Ignoring sharp objects
Pressing any sharp object on your hardwood floor will cause scratches. Although it’s trivial, kids should never be allowed to play with any sharp objects like nails. Another nuisance that can damage the floor is your pet’s long claws. As homeowner, you can also damage the look of the floor by wearing shoes that have sharp high heels. Avoid all these and your wood floor will look awesome for many years.
Taking caution is all you need to have your hardwood floors appear as new for decades. Talk with your family about these tips. Think about your home as an investment that deserves everything that will add to its value, including good looking long lasting wood floors.
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