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Sweep, dust mop or vacuum your floor routinely, this is the most
important step. Loose dirt and grit can scratch the surface of your floor.
Thoroughly clean the heavy traffic areas (kitchen) twice as often
as other areas
While most food spills will not harm the surface, it is
advisable to promptly wipe up with a dry cloth or paper towels. The spills
should then be cleaned with a recommended cleaner.
Never clean your wood floor with products such as soaps,
detergents, or oil soap. Make sure the cleaner is formulated to maintain the beauty
of hardwood floors with out leaving a soap film residue.
Place area rugs or mats at doorways and in front of the sink.
This will help you to catch dirt and water. Never use rubber or plastic backed
products as it may damage the floor. Solid cotton is highly recommended.
Never use sheet vinyl or tile floor products on wood floors.
Spike heels cleats
and work shoes can be damaging to wood floors. Even women of average build with
spike heels on can exert 2000 PSI when she takes a step.
Humidity control is
highly recommended. To reduce excessive shrinkage in the winter a humidifier is
recommended, air conditioning or dehumidifier is recommended for the summer.
To move furniture
properly across a wood floor, it should be picked up.
Narrow guides and
certain types of casters can damage hardwood floors. It’s recommended to change
to wide type casters to help prevent damage.
Fabric protectors are
a must for furniture legs. This will help prevent scratching and dents.
Most finishes should
not be waxed. Please ask a professional or manufacturer.
Try to keep potted
plants off your floor. This will help prevent condensation build up that can
damage your floor.
Keep pet nails
trimmed regularly and try to keep animal play on your wood floors to a minimum.
While
most finishes are very durable, there may be a time to recoat your floor. When
choosing a finish for your wood floor, remember to ask if the finish can be
recoated in years to come.
Use as little water as possible. Go back over the area with a dry towel to
make sure water does not sit on the surface.
Some of
the recommended cleaners available in your area:
SQUEAKY, MINWAX,
BRUCE, HARCO, , DURA SEAL, BONA.
How should I clean my hardwood floor?
The most important thing to do is to first vacuum and dust mop regularly, and
as often as necessary. For some families and most businesses, this may mean
every day.
Don't damp mop on a weekly schedule, damp mop only as needed, i.e., when
the floor is dirty. Even then, cleaning on a spot basis will suffice. Often
the maid service will want to do this weekly, but that will cause the finish
to wear faster.
Waxed and sealed
floors.
On a seal and wax finish, you should sweep or vacuum up all grit,
dirt and dust, then buff to renew the shine. When the shine cannot be
renewed, then you must re-wax the floor. With this type of finish you might
only need to re-wax small high-traffic areas. In any case, do not use water on
a waxed floor.
Be sure to follow the finish manufacturer's advice on your floor. As a
rule, do not use ammonia-based cleaners, they tend to dull modern finishes. We
do not advocate any particular cleaning product. The finish manufacturers are
the best source for that information.
The best way to clean a hardwood floor is to keep the dirt and grit off!
If you have problems with your wood floor please contact
us! |