One of our favorite features of our homes is their beautiful hardwood floors. They add balance and crispness to your new space Even though hardwood floors are beautiful, they need a lot of maintenance to help keep them look like new. With just a few simple steps, they can last for decades. Here is what we recommend:
- Sweep/Vacuum: Sounds like a no brainer right? However, sweeping or vacuuming your floors play a critical role in the upkeep of your hardwood. Without sweeping them, the cakes on dust can scratch the surface. Make sure to sweep or vacuum as much as possible, especially in high traffic areas. If you do vacuum, put it on the hardwood floor setting so the rotating bristles don’t further scratch. For the extra dust particles, you can’t pick up with a broom or vacuum, use a Swiffer.
- Mop: Next, it’s time to mop your floors. Now we don’t want you to swab the deck like you are on a cruise ship. Only lightly soak your mop and drain the excess water into a bucket. Too much water can cause damage over time and your floors could buckle. Additionally, you can mix in a wood cleaner to your mixture to add another layer of protection. Don’t know which to choose? Check out this list from The Spruce.
- Floor Wax or Liquid Scratch Concealer: Haven’t been keeping up your cleaning routine as you should? No problem. This is where floor wax will come in. Floor wax is a must if you have pets that constantly scratch the surface with their nails. Floor wax will seal your hardwood and polish them to look brand new. If you have a deeper scratch, use a liquid scratch concealer and your floorboards will look like new in no time.
Now that we’ve gone over what you SHOULD do, let’s go over what you SHOULDN'T do.
- DO NOT SCRUB: Don't use any abrasive products on your flooring as in can cause even more damage.
- DO NOT USE HARSH DETERGENTS: any soapy solution strips the wood of any natural oils. Make sure to check the ingredients of what you put on your floor first. Hardwood floors should be nourished and conditioned.
- NO SHOES: For most, this is a given. Do not track outside mud and dirt. Wear socks or indoor slippers to preserve them. Plus you can practice the famous scene from Risky Business.
- DO NOT POUR CLEANER DIRECTLY ON THE FLOOR: No. No. No. Make sure to get a bucket and mop and drain excess cleaner. Pouring cleaner directly on the floor can damage the floor and waste a ton of cleaner.
We hope this helps you a bit in maintaining your hardwood floors. Proud of your shiny floors? Tag us on Facebook so we can see!