Hardwood floors can add character and warmth to the house. Depending on the existing decor, homeowners can choose from different shades of hardwood, such as light oak or dark walnut. But it’s important to remember that these floors must be looked after well. Dust, spills, shoes, and even sunlight can wear the floor down over time. The right hardwood floor maintenance tips can help preserve their natural beauty and strength for years.
Routine Care Tips for Hardwood Flooring
While there are several methods to extend the life of wood floors, they must be followed consistently.
Sweep Every Day
Daily sweeping is among the most popular practices for cleaning hardwood floors. Sweeping helps remove dust particles and pet hair from the surface. This is important because dust particles and pet hair can work like sandpaper, scraping and scratching the floor and causing it to lose its shine. If sweeping the whole house every day is tedious, one can aim to finish one room at a time.
Vacuum Regularly
Vacuuming is equally important when caring for hardwood flooring. Vacuum cleaners pick up the smaller or missed particles left behind on the floor after sweeping. Plus, the strong suction ensures nothing is lodged in the crevices, cracks, or between planks. If the vacuum cleaner has a brush or beater with the suction head, one should turn it off. Using the vacuum cleaner without switching it to the hardwood setting will result in scratches and cracks. It is among the common mistakes in hardwood floor maintenance. One can simply use a flathead attachment to protect the lustrous floor from the brush bristles.
Mop the Floor
This might sound counterintuitive, but mopping hardwood floors can be a good idea if done the right way. One must use a damp mop (damp, not soaking wet) with the right wood floor cleaner. When mopping, the water should not stand or form a pool on the floor. Too much water can cause the wood to swell, and the floor could suffer extensive damage. Microfiber mops should be used instead of cotton ones as they soak less water and clean better.
Fix the Scratches
Hardwood floors can develop scratches due to furniture movement, high foot traffic, pet claws, and many other reasons. Scratches can also develop when one uses the wrong vacuum attachment to clean the floor or scrubs with hard brush bristles. Fortunately, fixing scratches on the hardwood floor is an easy DIY project. One can simply use a stain marker for minor scratches or a wax stick for deeper dents. The stain color should match the wood floor to make the repair blend in. A small polyurethane brush can come in handy for bringing back the shine.
Recoat Periodically
When the floor starts to wear down and becomes dull, it can be layered with a new coat of finish. One must start the process with a thorough deep clean to rid the floor of dirt and grime. This should be followed with a buffing process to provide the floor with better adhesive power. Next comes the recoating. A fresh coat gives the floor an extended life and a new, shiny finish. Homeowners can search the market for the right kind of floor finishing materials. If the recoat is delayed, owners may have to perform the sanding process, which involves removing the top layer of the old finish along with some wood.
Natural Cleaners for Wood Floors
It’s important to use the right products when cleaning hardwood floors. One can research and experiment with different options lining the supermarket aisles. Alternatively, one can make DIY hardwood floor care cleaners at home.
Vinegar for Floor Cleaning
Vinegar is a powerful natural cleanser for hardwood floors. Anyone who has wood flooring will know how effective this white solution can be. It is also one of the most versatile natural cleansers that’s easily available. All that is needed is a diluted vinegar mixture and a microfiber cloth. One can dip the cloth in the mixture and gently rub it on the floor to get a clean, shiny finish.
Vinegar can also be used to clean debris stuck within the cracks of hardwood floors. All one requires is some distilled white vinegar, a soft-bristle brush, and a microfiber cloth or a vacuum cleaner. One must dip the brush in diluted vinegar and scrub at the cracks. The gunk can be cleaned with a wet microfiber towel or using a vacuum cleaner.
Dishwashing Liquid for Stains
Elbow grease and paint splatters are easy to clean using dishwashing liquid. To try this remedy, one can mix a small amount of dishwashing solution with hot water in a bowl or a bucket and soak the cleaning cloth in it. After wringing out the cloth, one can use it to scrub at the spill in the direction of the wood grain. If the stain takes longer than anticipated to disappear, a plastic knife or an old credit card can be used to scrub it out. When the paint particles are out, one can wipe the area with a dry cleaning cloth.