Taking
Care Of Hardwood Floors
The First
Few Days
Use your newly finished wood floor with special care for the first
few days after the final finish has been applied. While you can
generally walk carefully on the floor the day after finishing,
it is recommended that furniture not be placed on the floor for
72 hours. Cleaning products and area rugs should not be used on
the floor for the first week to accommodate final curing of the
finish.
Moving
Furniture
It is very important that great care be taken when moving heavy
furniture and appliances onto or across a wood floor. Whenever
possible, items should be lifted and placed carefully onto the
floor.
Never roll or slide heavy objects directly across the floor. When
large items must be slid or rolled across, be sure to place a
protective layer over the entire area that the item will make
contact with the floor. Lay down a sheet or blanket directly on
the floor then place a layer of hard material such as masonite
or thin plywood on top. Cardboard is not a suitable material for
protecting the floor in these situations.
Protecting
Your Wood Floor
Be sure to use heavy-duty felt floor protectors on all your chairs
and other furniture that is likely to be moved. They are a simple
and inexpensive way to prevent scratching and scuffing of the
floor and can be easily replaced when needed.
Keep high heel shoes in good repair, as heels that have lost their
protective caps will likely cause indentations in any hard floor
surface. Also, keep pet’s toe nails trimmed and smooth.
Cleaning
Your Wood Floor
Clean your floor frequently using a soft broom, an untreated dust
mop, or a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment. Keeping
grit off of the floor in this manner will prevent premature wearing
of the finish more than anything else you can do. Wipe up any
spills or sticky spots with a dry or slightly dampened cloth as
soon as possible.
Wash your floor weekly, or as needed, with a damp (not dripping
wet) sponge or string mop, using a cleaner that is specifically
made for use with urethane type floor finishes. Follow the directions
on the label for correct application. Do Not clean your floor
with regular household cleaners such as Pine Sol, 409, Fantastik,
ammonia or vinegar. Never use waxes, polishes, or other treatments
advertised to be used on wood. All of these products may leave
a residue that can make the floor slippery, appear dull and interfere
with future re-coatings.
Humidity
Control
Every wood floor will experience movement as atmospheric conditions
surrounding it change. It is strongly recommended that a humidity
control system be used in homes with wood floors to minimize this
movement. The ideal humidity condition for a wood floor is between
40% and 50%. If humidity levels drop below 40%, use a humidifier
to prevent excessive separation between boards. If humidity levels
rise above 50%, use air conditioning or ventilate with fans to
prevent cupping or buckling.
Using
Area Rugs
Many people will place area rugs somewhere on their wood floor.
Using rugs that are “breathable” and not rubber-backed
are preferable.
However, areas covered by rugs will, with time, change color differently
than uncovered areas, due to different exposure to light and air.
This is especially true with very light or very dark floors. In
many cases this discoloration can only be removed by sanding the
floor.
Re-Coating
Your Floor
As your floor begins to show wear and does not clean easily, re-coating
with additional finish is recommended. A wood floor with typical
use will need re-coating approximately every 6 or 7 years. Contact
a hardwood floor professional when re-coating becomes necessary. |
