Cleaning and regularly maintaining your hardwood floor is not a complicated job for the average homeowner. Using a soft broom to sweep your wood floors and dust them using a dry mop should usually suffice. Using a professional wood floor cleaning agent periodically should also help you maintain your precious floors in the long term. For floors with beveled edges, it is best to turn off the beater to remove any traces of dust usually found between the boards.
For some more advanced cleaning procedures that are usually necessary for stubborn stains and deeply embedded dirt, you may need to get in touch with an expert wood floor cleaner. Here are a few recommended maintenance tips for your wood floors that should help you save precious time and money in the long term.
Stick To A Maintenance Schedule
You are advised to sweep or mop your wood floors on a regular daily basis. At the end of the day, when everyone is getting ready to go to bed, pick up your mop and start cleaning your floors. It shouldn’t last more than 10 minutes, and it will make your home look cleaner and brighter in the morning.
It is also best to have your wood floors vacuumed with the help of the bare floor option every week, for easy maintenance. Use your floor cleaner every month, and apply a protective maintenance coat every two years or so. Talk to a professional wood floor service and see what their recommendations are. Sand and refinish your wood floors every ten years and keep them looking and performing at their best for many generations to come. Keep in mind these timelines need to be customized in accordance with your own needs, foot traffic levels, wear and tear, and general lifestyle habits. Throwing lots of parties and inviting over dozens of people who will not be taking their shoes off will most likely mean you will need some additional help with the cleaning and maintenance.
Avoid using any non-wood cleaning products on your hardwood floors. Stay away from vinyl or tile cleaning agents or any acrylic waxes, as you may risk turning your wood dull and slippery. Also, do not use any wet or steam mops on real wood floors. You will do nothing else but dull the finish and cause potentially irreparable damage.
Protect Your Wood Floors The Right Way
Do not hesitate to use throw rugs at your doorway and politely invite your guests to at least wipe their feet at the door. You could also ask them to take off their shoes, especially on rainy day, when they may carry mud and dirt into your home and on your floors. Plus, the debris could also get trapped into the boards and fibers and scratch the floor.
Whenever you spill something on your floor, wipe it straight away using a dampened cloth. Avoid over-waxing your natural wood floor. Instead, use buffing techniques or call an experienced IICRC-certified floor cleaner. They will know exactly how to handle any wax buildup beneath the furnishings and apply the right amount of wax in the spots that need it.
Place protectors under the legs of your armchairs and tables to prevent scuffing and scratching. Make sure you have them replaced periodically for best results, or you will risk having the dirt get deeply embedded on the pads and act like sandpaper. Try not to slide any heavy furniture on the floors when you need to move it around. Avoid wearing high heels when you are inside the house, or at least stay away from your expensive hardwood floors. To prevent gaps in your boards, rely on a good humidifier during the cold season.
If you are dealing with any discolored wax finishes, or you notice a lot of dirt building up, you are advised to use a mix of was and liquid cleaver for hardwood floors. It should be solvent and not watery. Use a cloth and spread the mix, gently rubbing it to get rid of all the dirt and wax. Wipe the surface clean and let it dry for half an hour, then do some buffing.
For any additional cleaning, maintenance, and protective coat application needs, questions, and concerns, feel free to get in touch with us. The ASAP Carpet Cleaners team specializes in the entire array of hardwood floor cleaning techniques and can handle any job.