Maintaining your hardwood floor on a regular basis is important if you wish to enjoy it for a long time. Regular cleaning is the secret to maintaining and protecting the appearance of your hardwood floor. You should follow a specific cleaning protocol in order to avoid causing damage to the floor surface.
Tips for Hardwood Floor Maintenance
Besides regular cleaning, the damage to your floor can be reduced by observing some prevention and maintenance measures. Follow the tips we have listed below to ensure the durability and longevity of your floor.
- Vacuum your floor each week
The dust that accumulates on your floor is similar to sandpaper that will definitely wear through the finish of your hardwood floor. High quality vacuuming will protect its finish and maintain its appearance. Utilize an attachment with a felt surface or brush that runs along the floor. Attachments with a beater bar or brushes that rotate are not goon options. These can cause scratches on the finish of your hardwood floor.
- Be careful when using hairspray or furniture polish
These two materials can cause cloudiness on the finish of your hardwood floor. When any of these materials are spilled on the floor, wipe them up right away using a damp cloth. Spray the floor with a non-ammonia window cleaner to clean it more thoroughly.
- Avoid exposing your hardwood floor to the rain
Rain water will not only damage the finish of your hardwood floor, but it can also penetrate deep into the wooden material and stain it. Make sure to close the windows when you know that it is about to rain. Place trays underneath potted plants and wipe right away any water that you see.
- Get rid of residues with a no-wax wood floor cleaner
If you have a no-wax wood floor cleaner, put them some place where you can easily access them. This will make it easier for you to clean spills and dirt as soon as they occur before they get bigger. Use a cleaner to remove any residue afterwards.
- Familiarize yourself with the rules on restorers and waxes
You can revitalize a hardwood floor wax finish with additional wax. However, don’t use wax for other types of finish such as shellac, polyurethane or varnish. Not only will it make your floor very slippery, it will also interfere the next coating of wood finish that you intend to apply to your floor.
If your floor has a polyurethane finish, use a polish that is specifically made for polyurethane. If you are not sure on the type of finish, a general purpose floor restorer is a good choice. Put a small portion to test it first to make sure that it doesn’t peel off.
- Get a long walk-off doormat
Even though spot-cleaning and vacuuming will help you go a long way in maintaining your hardwood floor, keeping out dirt is still indispensable. Purchase a doormat that has a length of 4-6 feet to place to the path that leads towards your front door.
The longer your doormat is, the more dirt and moisture will be rubbed off from the shoes of your visitors even if they don’t bother to stop and rub them.
- Protect areas of your hardwood floor that experience high traffic with rugs
Walking on your floor for several times every day will eventually make your floor’s finish wear off. Use rugs to decrease wear and tear. You can also pick rags that have attractive designs to increase the aesthetic appeal of your home.
Check that the rags you buy do not have a backing. Rubber or vinyl backing traps in humidity which can produce stains and do damage to your wood’s finish.
- Clean your floor with a hardwood floor cleaner and mop once a month
A flat mop with a microfiber head should do the trick when cleaning your hardwood floor. Do not dampen with water. Spray lightly some cleaner that is specially designed for hardwood floors. Only a minimal amount is needed to make your floor clean.
If your floor contains a protective sealant, review the manufacturer’s specification first before buying any brand of cleaner. Don’t ever steam mop or wet mop a hardwood floor. This will surely damage the wood and make its finish quite dull.
Maintain the beauty of your hardwood floor with Prestige Property Services
Maintaining hardwood floors is very tedious, but is also essential. The appearance of your floor will greatly contribute to the impression of your visitors or clients on you when they visit your office.
Why not get the services of a professional office cleaning company so that you will have one item crossed off the things you have to worry about?
Prestige Property Services has a team of experts who have a keen attention to detail when it comes to office building maintenance. We’ll make sure that your hardwood floor will look sleek without getting any damage. Call us now and let’s talk about your maintenance needs!