What is the best way to care for solid wood floors?

Designed to last a lifetime, hardwood floors have sometimes been known to outlive the buildings they are installed in. Exceptionally durable, a wood floor that has been professionally installed and properly cared for can offer homeowners and enterprises an excellent return on their investment.

While wooden flooring is not high maintenance in terms of care, it does require regular attention to keep it looking its finest. In the following passages, we’ll explore how to get the most from your wood floor, what protective methods should be taken and how often you should employ them.

Cleaning up spills instantly

Accidents can often happen around the home, and when they do, you must react fast to care for your solid wood floor. If a drink spills or a vase of flowers tips over, making a puddle on your planks, attend to it quickly without delay. Employing either a damp or entirely dry cloth, immediately wipe up the spillage. Never use a wet mop, as this will only add to the problem and cause damage to your flooring.

The properties of wood make it shrink or swell in reaction to moisture – whether it’s contained in the air around it or directly on it. In order to avoid gapping, splitting and cupping of the wood, it’s essential to keep water away from your floor and the levels of humidity to a minimum. It’s a wise idea to ban wet shoes being worn indoors and tackle spills swiftly.

Employing furniture pads

Scratches are among the few weaknesses of wooden floors. Although many scratches may be unavoidable, others can be prevented with a little consideration. Adding built-for-purpose furniture pads to the bottom of sofa castors and chair and table legs will ensure no unnecessary marking occurs and will keep your wooden floor scratch-free.

Sweeping up on a daily basis

While sweeping every day may feel excessive, it can be a sensible practice for those with wood floors. Dust builds up everywhere and will collect between floorboards over time, and hair from households with pets can add to this as they shed, so a daily sweep is worth considering to keep boards from becoming clogged. Only use a soft fibre brush for sweeping, so you never harm your floor.

Hoovering once a week

A weekly hoover will catch anything you missed on your daily sweeps, such as food crumbs, dirt, grit and other small particles. Tiny pieces of debris can easily cause scratching to wood floors if they are trampled into them by household members.

Using a floor cleaner once a month

Each month, use a dedicated floor cleaner designed for solid wood floors and a dry mop to clean your flooring from top to bottom to make it shine.

Re-finishing and sanding flooring

Over extended use, wood flooring can begin to dull, but it can be easily renewed. At least every 10 years, expert professionals should be relied upon to sand wood flooring and to give it a new coat of wood finish, providing a robust restoration.

By following these tips, your wood flooring should remain in great condition, lasting for years to come.