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Hardwood maintenance seems to be a mystery to most people. It probably carries over from the days when wax was the preferred method for protecting the floor.
With today's hardwood, maintenance is very simple. It is actually simpler than many other flooring types. To make it even easier, we provide customers with a cleaning kit with every installation or refinish job. Refills can be purchased at our store. We provide an excellent floor cleaning system from Bona Kemi, a worldwide finish manufacturer. The cleaning routine is basically as follows: - Sweep or vacuum the floor on a regular basis. Grit is a finish's worst enemy, so don't allow it to accumulate on the floor.
- Based on the amount of traffic, clean the floor with a proper "non-residue" hardwood cleaner every few weeks or as often as needed. Focus mainly on the high traffic areas. Most flooring companies can suggest brands to choose from. We prefer the Bona product, which can be purchased at our store.
- Homemade cleaners such as vinegar and water also work pretty well but more and more people are becoming concerned about what the acid in vinegar does to the floor's finish. If you want to be safe, perhaps look for another solution.
- DON'T use any cleaning product that leaves a residue on the floor. We can't name names here, but if the product advertises that it "restores" or "shines and protects" hardwood floors, don't use it. Over time these products will dull the finish. Don't assume that just because the label states it is "For Hardwood Floors" that it's the right product to use.
If you use a vacuum cleaner, make sure the beater bars aren't engaged while cleaning hardwood. Over time, the constant rubbing may scratch the floors. It's ok to use a vacuum that has beater bars as long as the unit has a hardwood setting which disengages them. That's pretty much all you have to do! In addition to keeping your floor looking great, using the proper cleaning products will save money years down the road when it's time to spruce up the floor with a new coat of polyurethane. If there is no wood damage or wear-through, the floor can be screened and coated instead of being completely refinished. This will save time and money. If products that leave a residue have been used, the only option is to refinish the floor because the residue buildup will stop the new finish from adhering. |
