Maintaining Wood Floors ~ Wood Floor Care
Tips
Cleaning Wood Floors ~ The Do's and Don'ts
Advanced finish technology and
innovative products make wood one of the most beautiful and
easy-care flooring materials today. Wood Floors Online offers
these guidelines that will help preserve a beautiful finish and
keep maintenance to a minimum:
Maintaining Wood Floors ~ Wood Floor Care
Always follow the
manufacturer's recommendations (when known) for the proper
care of a wood floor. Get that information from your wood
floor installer/retailer, and it is also a good time to
purchase your wood floor care products.
Know the type of finish on
the wood floor. Follow the propermaintenance procedures for the particular finish.
Never wax a urethane floor.
A majority of floors installed today have urethane finishes.
Never use sheet vinyl or
tile floor care products on wood floors. Self-polishing
acrylic waxes cause wood to become slippery and appear dull
quickly. The only remedy in this situation is to sand and
refinish the floor.
Consult with an installer,
the finisher or the manufacturer if there is any doubt of
the kind of floor finish.
Place mats and throw rugs at
doorways, exteriors and interiors to help prevent the
tracking of grit, dirt and sand.
Sweep or vacuum wood floors
regularly.
Never wet-mop a wood floor.
Standing water can dull the finish, damage the wood and
leave a discoloring residue.
Wipe up food and other
spills immediately with a dry or slightly dampened towel
(wipe dry).
For a wax floor, buff to
restore shine. You may want to invest in a buffer.
Do not over-wax a wax floor.
If the floor dulls, try buffing instead. Avoid wax buildup
under furniture and other light traffic areas by applying
wax in these spots every other waxing session.
Put plastic or fabric-faced
glides under the legs of furniture to prevent scuffing and
scratching.
Remember: cleats, sports
shoes and high heels can dent any floor surface.
When moving heavy furniture,
protect wood flooring by slipping a piece of cloth or pile
under the legs or covering each leg with a heavy sock or
half of a milk carton.
For wood flooring in the
kitchen, place an area rug in front of the kitchen sink to
catch water.
