Hard floor cleaning – Hardwood cleaning tips

26 July 2010

Hardwood flooring offers a richness and warmth and outstanding natural beauty and if carefully cared for will last a very long time. It is not a cheap option, but with maintenance it will prove to be a solid investment, if you know how to look after it correctly.

There are several tips as to how to look after your floor and here we will focus on the ‘do not’ list – focusing on that fact that prevention of damage is the best way to maintain the floor. There are several elements with which care should be taken:

Dirt and grit:
Surface scratching can look unpleasant but even the smallest scratch can have the more serious consequence of actually damaging the surface of the wood itself, or exposing the surface if the wood has a quality sealer applied. Once this occurs – it will be far more prone to staining from spillages or general build-up of dirt. Most dirt and grit which can cause these surface scratches are introduced into the area on soles of shoes, and placing doormats at entrances and regular sweeping are two simple ways to reduce this risk.

Spillages:
Exposed wood can stain very quickly, if liquid such as coffee or wine is spilt. However, even water can seep into gaps between the wood and cause damage over time. Even if a quality sealer has been applied, it is highly advisable to clean up spillages as soon as they occur to reduce this as a factor.

Cleaners:
There are many ways to clean hardwood floors – but generally a damp mop can be an effective way, or neutral ph wood cleaners that will not cause any marking or discolouring. Oil soap cleaners should be avoided as they can complicate matters when a sealer is being applied.

Furniture and heavy objects:
Dragging chairs and furniture (or other heavy objects) can cause dents or deeper surface scratching, which can be problematic. Objects should be lifted and not dragged wherever possible to avoid this eventuality, and felt pads can be applied to points and edges.

There is of course the possibility that over time a sealer will suffer from general use and traffic ands need to be reapplied. In this case you would be advised to consult a hard floor cleaning specialist who will be able to recommend the right type of sealer for you. In these cases it is very useful to know what has previously been applied to the floor.

If a floor becomes too market or scratched – the actual wooden surface can be exposed. There is a possibility that the floor cannot be effectively cleaned and a hard floor cleaning company may need to be contacted to sand down the wood before polishing and applying a sealer.


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