Hardwood floors can be a pricey investment that instantly makes your home feel more sophisticated and elegant. You may be able to remember what they looked like when they were first installed with a glossy finish that reflected the light and perfect coloring. Maintenance is the best way to keep your hardwood floors just as beautiful for the years ahead, but you have to know how to care for them properly.
Anago’s floor cleaning services can keep your hardwood floors looking spotless. However, there are a few things that you can do at home to help touch them up between cleanings.
Dust the floors
Just like a piece of furniture, your floors are susceptible to develop a thin layer of dust over the course of a week. You can dust mop or sweep your floors to get rid of this unattractive film. Never use a hard-bristled broom that could cause small scratches or unnecessary wear and tear to the protective coating of the wood. A soft-bristled broom or a mop with a duster attachment can be used.
Be sure to reach all of the corners and underneath the furniture in order to prevent more dust from rolling onto the freshly swept areas later. The National Wood Flooring Association recommends doing this daily to keep hardwood floors pristine.
Vacuum weekly
If you keep up with routine dusting, you should be able to get away with only vacuuming your home once per week. Ensure that the vacuum has clean wheels and that the beater bar feature is turned off to prevent scratches to the floor. This can help to ensure that the surface is especially clean before a routine mopping.
Clean the floor properly
This is the part where most homeowners hesitate to clean their own wood floors. So many products advertise a thorough cleaning for your hardwood floors, but how do you know which one is the right bottle to use? You can look to the manufacturer for instructions or purchase a brand that is recommended as a wood flooring cleaner.
You should never wet-mop the floor or steam it with a steam cleaner. Excess water and moisture can cause major problems with the finish of your wood.
Place area rugs in high traffic areas
The best way to maintain your wood floors is to prevent unnecessary wear and tear in the first place. Be certain to put down area rugs or welcome mats in strategic areas throughout the home. These are a great way to enhance the feeling of a room, as well as to protect the beauty of your new hardwood floors. You might also consider using felt pads underneath your furniture to prevent scratches if it slides across the boards.
Maintaining your hardwood floors throughout the years doesn’t have to be complicated. With a few of these routine chores and maintenance tips, you can start to preserve your hardwood floors for decades to come. For more tips, you can ask your Anago cleaning representative for help.