Prevention
Minimizing wear and tear on your hardwood floor before it happens can be achieved by the following:
-
Good, stiff walk off mats outside each entry door to keep grit and dirt outside and away from your hardwood floor.
-
Soft, absorbent mats inside entry doors and in front of your sink to keep moisture off your floor.
-
Dust mop often to remove dirt and grit from your wood floor. Dirt and grit act like sandpaper on your finish and can prematurely dull your finish on your floor.
-
Felt pads on all furniture that moves on your floor will reduce scratching. Keep these pads clean and soft by changing them as needed.
-
Use hard plastic sheets or ¼” masonite whenever you move a heavy appliance or piece of furniture over your wood floor. The wheels on your fridge will dent the finish of your floor and leave marks that require sanding to remove them. It is a great idea to have two 12” X 48” pieces of masonite or plastic stored next to your fridge or in your garage so that they are handy when it is time to clean behind your fridge or move your piano.
-
Water is one of the biggest enemies to your floor. Ensure that all water connections at your dishwasher, sink and icemaker are properly connected. It is a good idea to have these checked by a qualified plumber.
Cleaning Wood Floors
- Use the smallest amount of water necessary while cleaning your wood floor. The water on your floor should be evaporating quickly behind you as you clean.
- The cleaning agent used should be a mild alkaline cleaner. Aggressive cleaners will prematurely dull your finish. We recommend the Craftsman Floor Cleaner as shown below. Cleaners that leave a film or residue such as Murphy’s Oil Soap or Lemon Oil cleaners will build up over time and change the color of your floor. They also eliminate the ability to recoat your floor. The film left behind will not allow a new coat of finish to bond to your floor. If these types of cleaners are used and your floor is later recoated, the new coat of finish will peel off. Vinegar and water is too acidic and will prematurely dull your finish. You will find that warm water and a soft cloth will remove most types of spills. There are many tools that you can use to quickly clean your floor. Some of them are available below.
The finishes that we use are easy to clean and maintain as long as the appropriate cleaners and techniques are used. The following are tips for properly cleaning your wood floor:
Wood Floor Maintenance
Preserving your investment in your floor can be achieved by: Applying refresher to worn areas to minimize the appearance of scratches. Recoating your floor as needed. Resanding your floor to restore it to its brand new condition.
Please call us for a free estimate at:
