Hardwood flooring may be one of the most popular floor choices among homeowners. It’s versatile in terms of use and style and has a natural appeal that may offer homes a distinctive look and attractiveness.
If you’ve installed engineered hardwood flooring in your home as well, you’d want to keep it clean and unscratched. After all, hardwood floors are not at all inexpensive, so you want to make sure they last. Fortunately for you, maintaining them for long-term use is easy to do. Here’s how you could go about it.
Sweep The Floors Regularly
Sweeping your wooden floors on a regular basis may help prevent dust and grit accumulation. To prevent scratches on the wood, it’s advised to use a broom with soft bristles.
Sweep away any dust or debris on the surface, especially areas that are always walked on, such as the entryway or hallway.
Dust The Floors
Don’t forget to schedule a regular dusting of your hardwood flooring. You may use disposable dusting mops, which have a slight electrostatic charge to take up more dust and debris from your floors. They’re generally quick and simple to utilize, and you could simply discard them after use.
You may also try a dry mop with an ultra-soft head to pick dust particles and smudges. When dusting and mopping, make sure to also reach places where dust particles love to linger, such as corners and crevices.
Mop The Floors Every Month
If you want to thoroughly clean your floors without stripping or straining the hardwood, use a mop specifically designed for hardwood as well as a wood floor cleaner. You may get them from home improvement shops in your area or check them out online.
The procedure for cleaning is easy. Begin by diluting the wood floor cleaner with water. Then soak the hardwood mop in the mixture and drain off any extra water. When you run the mop over the floor, try to follow the path of the wood’s grains. To prevent missing any areas, consider working in portions. Finally, let the floor dry completely before stepping on it.
Avoid Wearing Shoes When Walking On The Floors
Your footwear has the potential to scratch your hardwood floors, which could cause the wearing and tearing of your floors over time. Thus, try to be careful when wearing spikes or footwear with heels as they may cause damage to your hardwood floors.
But even if you walk on them barefoot, the oil from your feet may cause the floor to deteriorate over time. Hence, the best thing to do is to walk on your hardwood floors wearing socks only.
Attach Felt Pads On Furniture
Furniture such as tables and chairs could leave scuffs on your hardwood flooring, so consider attaching felt pads on their legs to prevent scratching. You may also do the same with your beds, sofas, ottomans, recliners, and stools.
Trim Your Pets’ Nails
If you have pets running around your house, check their nails to see if they’re long enough to produce a scratch on your flooring. Some cats and dogs tend to scratch on any surface, including floors. And if you have hardwood flooring, you may need to clip your pets’ nails to prevent them from damaging it.
Furthermore, dogs may accumulate dirt and grit between their paws. So be sure to wipe their feet before letting them in to avoid leaving paw prints on your flooring.
Protect The Floors From Direct Sunlight
The ultraviolet (UV) light in daylight has the potential to do major damage to your wooden flooring. Prolonged exposure to UV light may cause it to distort and fade over time. Thus, consider installing window coverings such as drapes and blinds and placing a carpet on your flooring to shield it from direct exposure to sun rays.
Refinish The Floors
If it has been three to five years since you installed your hardwood floors, you may opt to refinish them. A brand-new coat may restore the brilliance that must have faded through time. The wood stain you use may also serve as a protective layer, preventing scratches and fading on your floor.
However, for low-traffic areas of your home, such as guestrooms or dining areas, refinishing may be done only every five to six years, depending entirely on how drab they look.
Final Thoughts
Wooden floors are known to be durable and appealing. However, in order for them to last long, you must know how to properly clean and maintain them.
So do regular sweeping, dusting, and mopping of your floors using tools appropriate for the hardwood material. It’s also important to avoid causing damage to your flooring, such as scratches from footwear, furniture legs, or pet nails.
Protecting your flooring from sunlight is also crucial, as well as refinishing it to restore its brilliance. After all, the timeless and warm aesthetic that hardwood floors provide is worth any additional expense and maintenance.
