Are your hardwood floors looking a little dingy and in need of some TLC? Or did you just install new hardwood and want to retain its vibrancy from day one? Learn how to protect and restore the warmth and character of your home or businesses’ hardwood floors with these quick and easy everyday care tips from our San Diego flooring experts.
Clean, Solid Investment
Hardwood floors are among the easiest to maintain and keep clean, but no matter which hardwood your floors are made from, oak, maple, ash, beech, birch, cherry, etc., they do require proper care. When it comes to discoloration, the sun is your hardwood floor’s worst enemy. Be sure to close curtains and blinds or add sheer drapes to cut down on UV rays. Another common challenge with hardwood is scratching. Scratches are usually caused by surface dirt, but can easily be avoided by just quickly sweeping once daily with a broom or dust mop. Other easy ways to guard against scratching are to add felt feet to furniture and to use area rugs in high-traffic areas to protect against every day wear and tear. If scratches do begin to dull the surface, try this quick fix – use a soft cloth to buff shoe polish in a closely matched color into the surface of your floors and then polish with a clean cloth. Voila!
Get to Know Your Floors
Not all hardwood floors are the same, they come in many different stains, woods and finishes, so be sure to research the proper care for your particular hardwood before you begin cleaning. For example, be sure to never use paste wax on a polyurethane finish, but do use a buffer on wax-finish floors, and never use oil soaps on any hardwoods as they create build up, making refinishing difficult — instead, opt for a cleaner with a neutral pH made specifically for wood floors. There are many more easy to remember rules of hardwood care and once you become familiar with your floors you’ll have access to the tools you need to preserve their natural beauty.
Maintaining your hardwood floors is the first step to protecting your investment and your home’s value. If you have any questions on how to properly care for your hardwood floors, or if you’re interested in adding the elegance of hardwood to your home, please come into any of our San Diego flooring stores and we’ll be happy to help. Need an answer now? Tweet a question or post it to our Facebook page!