Keeping Your Hardwood Floors Looking Great

In a recent blog, we discussed some of the options available in wood flooring.  While wood floors have had their ups and downs in terms of popularity, they are currently back in style.  And why wouldn’t they be?  They bring natural beauty to any room and can last for years.  There are multiple types of wood floors, but for this blog, we will concentrate on some tips for preserving the look of hardwood floors.  Much of the information presented here was found at The American Hardwood Information Center’s website. Visit their website for more detailed information or to get answers to specific questions.

Remove Dust and Dirt Regularly.

Cleaning floors regularly with a dust mop, a broom with exploded tips, or the hardwood attachment of a vacuum can go a long way in keeping hardwoods beautiful.  You want to avoid accumulated dirt, which can dull or even scratch hardwoods.  Rugs placed at points of entry helps reduce the dirt that finds its way on floors.  However, be sure to choose rugs without a rubber or vinyl backing as this can react with certain finishes and cause discoloration.

Protect Against Water.

You may think that water would be fine for a wood floor – after all, trees live their lives outdoors exposed to rain and snow.  But you would be wrong!  Prolonged exposure to water can damage wood floors by dulling the finish or, when left too long, even warping the wood.  Spills should be cleaned up promptly, and water should never be allowed to pool or sit on the surface of a wood floor.  Furthermore, water should not be used to clean hardwood floors, especially those that are sealed and waxed.

Shelter from the Elements.

Besides water, other elements of nature can inflict varying degrees of harm on wood floors.  As much as possible, you want to maintain a moderate indoor climate for your wood floors.  Temperatures and humidity levels should be kept in a normal range.  Sunlight has the potential to discolor hardwood floors.  Curtains or blinds can reduce your floor’s exposure to sunlight, and you should also consider moving furniture periodically to keep any discoloration resulting from sunlight uniform across the whole floor.  Obviously, wood floors also endure the constant contact of feet and furniture.  Use common sense to limit the damage of both.

Know Your Finish.

Finally, as you consider the cleaning and maintenance of your hardwood floor, remember that not every floor is the same.  Different finishes require different care.  Floors may have a surface finish, a wax finish, or an acrylic impregnated finish.  You’ll need to know which type of finish yours has so that you can select cleaning products and methods that are just right for your floor and avoid damage that may result from using the wrong type of cleanser.

If you have hardwood floors, you probably chose them because of their impressive appearance.  I hope this blog will help you to keep them looking great for years to come.  If your hardwood floors are looking dull and lifeless, you may want to consider a visit from Langenwalter.  We have experts who understand how to safely and effectively clean hardwoods and have them looking renewed and revitalized again.  Call us at 317-876-9944 or schedule online at your convenience.