Hardwood floors are great to give your home or business a more rustic and classic feel. They can be difficult to keep clean and scratch free. Experts say that you should get them refinished about once every ten years or so. There are some things that you can do to before getting hardwood floor refinishing.
Here are some things that you can do to prolong the life of your hardwood floors:
Clean regularly. This is pretty basic but also very important. If dirt and dust particles are left lying on hardwood too long, they can leave marks and scratches. It is recommended to vacuum at least weekly. If you use any cleaning products, check the labels to make sure that they are made specifically for cleaning wood floors.
Be selective with brushes. Only use soft nylon brushes or vacuum cleaner attachments.
Clean up spills immediately. Any liquid spills should be immediately wiped up with a dry cloth. If there is still a mark, try a damp cloth but be sure to dry that immediately. If that is not working, try a non-ammonia based window cleaner. Some materials such as furniture polish and hairspray are especially bad for floors.
Do not wax. ‘Nuff said.
Use mats. If there are any areas that get a lot of traffic, place a rug or mat to absorb the dirt. You can also place them in areas where you eat, prepare food, or anywhere else that is likely to get spillage. You can also put them under any furniture with pointed legs that could possibly scratch your floor. Get an extra large mat to place either inside or outside (or both) of your front doorway.
Don’t get wet. Much like a mogwai, it is bad to get water on hardwood floors. Look for places where water can get in. Close your windows when it rains. Put something under any potted plants. And also wipe up any spills immediately.
Avoid bright light. Also like a mogwai, too much exposure to sunlight is not good. It you notice that there is a window giving excessive exposure, pull the blinds or shades over it for some time.
Over time, your floor will eventually accumulate scuffs and scratches, and you should seek help from professionals to provide refinishing and other restoration services. By following these simple cleaning tips, you will prolong the life and shine of your beautiful floors.
