Cleaning Tips for Wood Flooring

Wood flooring is a classic and beautiful choice for home decorating. Timber floors have been around for years. Many installations from decades ago still look great if they’ve been properly maintained. This floor covering option can look great with an assortment of décor styles. Contemporary, country, Victorian, Mediterranean and Southwest interior design can all look smashing with this option underfoot. Here are some things to think about regarding maintenance:

- Sweeping first: Before washing the surface, regular sweeping will keep it looking shipshape. A dust broom is a soft and effective tool which will slide around picking up debris without scratching the surface. Spraying a bit of furniture polish on the push broom will amp up its effectiveness.

- Commercially prepared solutions: Timber is more fragile than linoleum or tile. It’s important to use something that is gentle and non-abrasive. Watch out and only use a minimum of water and to dry up that which is used. Too much H2O will warp and damage the surface. An oil based product that cleans and moistens is a great idea.

- Homemade solutions: Vinegar and water is a simple and effective cleaning product. One gallon of H2O with ¼ cup of cider vinegar should do the trick. Again, be sure to blot up excess moisture after the task to keep the lumber from expanding.

- By hand: Whether the design is one made of planks or parquet, there are small grooves and indentations which are hard to reach with a mop. Getting down on the ground with a bucket, sponge and drying cloth can accomplish the chore quite effectively.

- Direct sunlight can damage: It’s wise to have appropriate window coverings in order to minimize the direct sunlight which streams onto these floors. Too much sun can fade and dry out these products.

- Refinishing: One of the ways to keep these surfaces gorgeous for many years is by refinishing them occasionally. How often will depend on an individual’s preference and what kind of wear and tear has occurred. A family with a slew of kids and pets may need to refinish more often than a childless couple or individual. Step one is to strip away the old varnish and stain color. Re-staining can alter the hue if this is desired. If a person buys an old fixer upper, he or she may want to alter the stain color of the floors before sealing them with a protective coating. A professional grade sander can be rented by a capable do-it-yourselfer or a crew of specialists can be hired to do the job.

With proper care and preventative maintenance, wood flooring can last longer than most other products on the market today. Tile is also well known for its longevity. Carpeting, linoleum and laminate will need to be replaced more often due to their shorter lifespan and durability. No matter what the design scheme of the dwelling, it can be enriched with a floor made from oak, pine, bamboo, cherry or mahogany. Hardwood’s a classic and versatile product that adds beauty and elegance to any home.