Hardwood floors are, without question, one of the best flooring options for any home. They add beauty to any room that will last a lifetime -- that is if you take care of them. There are a few simple maintenance tasks that you’ll need to complete throughout the year to keep your new flooring in its original, gorgeous condition. Read on to learn what you need to do to maintain your hardwoods for a long time.
Perhaps the most important step in maintaining your hardwood is making and sticking to a regular care and cleaning schedule. Take note of the daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly tasks that you must complete to keep your flooring in top condition. Use the suggestions below as guidelines for your cleaning routine.
Hardwood flooring maintenance is a daily job. Sweep the floors every day using a high-quality, soft bristle broom. You should also dust your floor in order to prevent the dirt and grime from accumulating. This will also help to prevent scratches from forming.
Along with sweeping and dusting, you should also vacuum the hardwood flooring once or twice every week. Vacuuming removes dirt particles that have gotten stuck in between the floorboards and other difficult to reach spots. It also helps to get rid of smaller dust particles that you may have missed when sweeping.
Your cleaning routine should also include polishing the floors every month. Treat the floors using a conditioner and a shining product designed to preserve the floors natural beauty and luster. This helps to prevent overcleaning and stripping the floors, which will keep them in their ideal condition. Before polishing the floors, read the instructions on the product, and remember only to use them once every month.
Every few months, you may notice that your floors are beginning to look a little bit dull. This means it’s time to wax and buff the floor. By waxing every three months, you can refresh the look of the flooring and return some of its original sheens. Just be sure not to do it too often! You can also skip this step if your hardwood flooring is finished with varnish, shellac, or polyurethane. The wax will interact poorly with the finish and make the flooring extremely slippery.
You should also seal the floors once every year. Floor sealers help to improve the finish and maintain the hardwood’s natural beauty. There are a few different floor sealers on the market, so be sure to choose the right one and follow the instructions on the label.
In addition to regular maintenance, you can also take steps to prevent your hardwood floors from getting scratched or dirty. Put down rugs in high traffic areas like in hallways or under the sofa. Put sliders under the legs of your furniture and avoid sliding furniture pieces since it can scratch the floor. Remove your shoes before walking across the hardwoods, especially if you are wearing high heels. Additionally, you should keep your pets’ nails trimmed, so they don’t end up leaving marks on the flooring.
Visit us at the Vintage Flooring Company to learn more about our hardwood flooring installation and hardwood flooring maintenance in Chicago.