Hardwood flooring is a beautiful, durable choice for any custom home, but you need to protect your floor from dust, debris, scuffs and water damage. Here are several tips for keeping your wood floor clean and in great shape.
Basic Hardwood Floor Care
It is not hard to protect and care for your hardwood floor, and you can start by removing your shoes before entering your home. Another idea is to place a mat on the inside and outside of each entrance for wiping off your shoes. You can sweep or vacuum the floor regularly to remove dust and debris, but you want to remove the beater bar on the vacuum. You also need to wipe up spills as soon as they occur to avoid permanent buckling or warping. Remember to use gentle cleaners on your hardwood floor.
Dust Mop The Floor Weekly
Use a dust mop to remove dust, dirt and other debris from the floor once a week. You can sweep or vacuum the loose debris if you do not have a dust mop. If you are using a cloth, make sure it is disposable or electrostatic. Whether you are using a dust mop or vacuum cleaner, you want to be sure to clean the floor on a weekly basis. The key is to prevent a lot of dust and debris from building up.
Clean The Floor Monthly
Your weekly cleaning removes the loose debris from the high traffic areas, but a monthly cleaning is done to clean every inch of the floor. You can use a sponge or mop and hardwood cleaning solution for this job. It is important to make sure you do not leave any excess water on the floor, or you may cause permanent damage to the wooden surface.
Take Care of Scuffs and Marks
It is not uncommon to notice a scuff or mark on your hardwood floor. The marks are inevitable when you are wearing shoes or moving furniture. However, you can avoid the marks by placing felt pads on the bottom of the furniture and removing your shoes before entering your home. You do not have to worry if you notice any scuffs because there are several ways to remove them.
The first method is a pencil eraser, which works for smaller scuffs.
If the scuff is larger, you can find a scuff eraser at your local hardware store.
You can use acetone for tougher scuffs, but you want to follow it up with an oil-based solvent to avoid drying out the surface.
Another option is to make an eco-friendly paste with vinegar and baking soda. Let the paste sit for about an hour before scrubbing it off with a dish pad. A natural cleaner is a good choice if you are worried about acetone or another solution damaging the wood.
It is easy to find a professional to install your wood floor when you contact Alair Homes Solon. Whether you are installing a floor as part of a home remodel or when building a custom home, we are dedicated to finding the right professionals for your project. Contact us and request a free project consultation.