Every homeowner should embrace timber floor care tips. You see, a good timber floor that is well-maintained enhances the value of the home, improves the interior décor and ensures that you will never do expensive repairs. Considering that the floor receives all the foot traffic, you may find keeping the floor looking as good as new quite a tall order, but you can do it, with some knowledge of course.
Timber floors are valued incredibly for their longevity and beauty. If well cared for, they last a long time. Care and maintenance starts with how you clean the floors, to how you polish them as they require this from time to time.
Different kinds of floors require different kinds of timber floor care. For example, some floor finishes are glossy and yet others are matt. Thus, using care products made for glossy floors cannot be used on the matt floor finishes.
After sanding your timber floor
After sanding your timber floor, wipe away all the dust using a polyurethane-formulated commercial cleaner. Because these cleaners evaporate quickly, the moisture will not affect the floor.
If your floor has scratches, use wax sticks to camouflage the scratches. Sometimes, your floor may have sticky gum on it. To remove it, cover the area with a plastic bag filled with ice for five minutes. Afterwards scrap with a spoon then follow with polyurethane. When your floor is greased, dampen a piece of clean cloth with polyurethane and then wipe it clean. Note that polyurethane is best when used on floors that have a glossy finish.
Never use wax, ammonia, the ordinary kitchen cleaning products on floors that have a urethane finish. At the same time, you should never pour water directly onto the floor as it could find its way between the boards and cause serious damage with time. Instead of water, always use a dampened cloth.
Vacuum cleaner or a bloom?
Instead of using a bloom, it is much better for you to use a vacuum cleaner for your timber floor care because vacuuming sucks the dirt from in between the boards while a bloom will do the opposite of that as it will press in the dirt between the boards. If you have to mop the floor, make sure that you mop along the grain, and even then, just use a damp floor mop. You should never pour water onto the floor.
Sometimes you floor may get burnt and you have to repair it. Gently scrap the char with a knife and then repair the same way you did for the other blemishes.
Preventive maintenance for timber floor care
Floor protection will prevent the premature aging for your floor, thereby lengthening your floors life. For the best timber floor care, you should vacuum it on regular basis with a bristle head vacuum. You can also sponge-mop using a hardwood timber cleaner that is approved.
After using floor maintenance products, it is recommended that you do not wash your newly coated floor for more than six weeks to allow enough time for the floor finish to harden.
Treat stains as soon as they happen, and mostly they will come from spillages. Do not wait for the spills to seep into the wood. Using a damp cloth, wipe the floor clean immediately.
If you have potted plants in the house, build stands for them. Do not let them get into direct contact with the floor so that you can avoid condensation, which could damage your floor.
Do you wear high heels? You need to check their condition from time to time because worn out heels that miss their protective cap will dent the timber with the steel support rod. This will result to numerous destruction of the floor and with time, the floor will wear out completely.
These are just a few of the timber floor care and maintenance tips. You can always read the other articles on our website for more tips. Or you could always ask us advice – after all, we are the floor sanding and polishing experts!