Considering how gorgeous your hardwood floors are, it’s only natural that you would want to keep them looking that way as long as possible.
Considering how gorgeous your hardwood floors are, it’s only natural that you would want to keep them looking that way as long as possible. Even as spring and summer move along, there are threats to your flooring you might not be aware of, from hidden and undiscovered leaks to damage by insects such as termites who have made your home’s foundation their new nest. Here are some tips to follow in case you don’t already have some basic knowledge to draw on for getting started.
Keep the Floors Dry
Using water and cleaning solutions at the same time can do more to harm your floors than you might think. The best policy is to keep them as dry as you can. That said, you don’t want to make them too dry, especially if there is no humidity in your home whatsoever. Wood naturally absorbs water, and all of that water can cause unsightly warping, cracking, buckling, and bubbling. Mops can work when it comes to cleaning spills and stains, but you need to be careful. Use a liquid cleaner that is formulated especially for hardwood flooring care. Avoid using anything with soap or wax in them because although you expect them to make a difference, they’ll only take that beautiful shine away.
Be Gentle
The next thing to remember is that you must be gentle when taking care of your hardwood flooring. Instead of mopping, you might resort to the vacuum instead. Again, while the vacuum is helpful, you need to pay attention to what you’re doing. The metal parts on the vacuum can leave behind nasty scratches that you won’t immediately notice. Vacuums and steam cleaners are much better for rugs and carpets, but you can spring for microfiber cloths and robotic vacuum cleaners since they won’t damage the floors you’re trying to care for during this process.
Polish Them
Once you’ve taken care of that, it’s time to restore some of the shine that has been lost. Doing this requires you to polish your hardwood flooring. Sometimes you should call the professionals, but this is one of those tasks that you can accomplish by yourself. Start by taking all of the furniture out of the room. Clean the floors before applying the polish with an applicator. Give the polish some time to set, so if anyone wants to go into the room, don’t let them in just yet. Twenty-four hours should be enough. Work towards the exit and crisscross your strokes, so you don’t miss a single spot.
Ready for a Beautiful Hardwood Floor? Trust John K Eareckson & Co.
When you work with John K Eareckson & Co., Flooring, we will ensure your hardwood floors undergo a stress-free acclimation process and that they sparkle for years to come; from a seamless and beautiful installation to years of maintenance, John K Eareckson & Co. Flooring has the expertise to care for your home’s hardwood floors. For a consultation and more information visit us online or give us a call at 410-788-4200. You can also look for us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Flickr.