Hardwood floors are always considered an upgrade in any home or business. They add charm and balance out the esthetics of any room’s décor. Hardwood floors are easy to take care of, but to ensure their overall condition and longevity, certain maintenance and care needs to be diligently executed. With that in mind, we at Busy Bee Cleaning & Janitorial Service would like to share some basic tips and advice on caring for your hardwood flooring.
Preventative Hardwood Floor Care Tips
There are some simple things to do and avoid preventing damage to your hardwood floors and keeping them in optimal condition.
1) Furniture. Dragging and slide furniture on the hardwood floors is often how many people relocate their pieces, especially if they are doing the task alone; but doing so leaves scratches and other unsightly blemishes on your floors. Furniture should always be lifted and repositioned, solicit help to avoid marring the surface. Install felt strips on the bottom of your furniture’s legs to offer some protection against accidental slipping and sliding.
2) Vacuum. If your preference is vacuuming hardwood floors to remove the dust, dirt and debris, make sure your vacuum’s setting is on “bare floor”. As the vacuum brush rotates, it can scuff or scratch your floor, ensure it isn’t rotating on your beautiful hardwood floors.
3) Dust Mop. Dust, dirt and grit need to be kept off your floors. Run a dust mop over your hardwood floors at least once a day, or as often as needed in the high traffic areas to keep them clear. Your floor’s surface will get scratched and scuffed and deteriorate sooner than later if the dirt is left to accumulate; as it acts as a sandpaper effect with the traction of simply walking on it.
4) Avoid Direct Sunlight. Long term exposure to direct sunlight can be damaging to hardwood floors. It causes the wood to dry out resulting in cracked and faded flooring. Curtains, drapes, or blinds should be closed when the sun is bearing down on the floors throughout the various times of the day.
5) Clean Immediately Liquid spills. Water or other liquids can cause wood to warp and cracking the shortest time frame, as it sits it penetrates into the porous areas and gaps causing water damage and the ingredients for mold. All accidental spills, no matter what the element (food, beverage, chemicals, etc.) should be immediately cleaned up and left completely dry.
6) Abrasive or hard cleaners. When cleaning your hardwood floors, never use oils soaps as they buildup over use causing excessive damage over time. Abrasive cleaners absolve the finish on your hardwood floors, leaving it vulnerable. Avoid abrasive scrubbing implements and stick with microfiber cloths to clean any spots as well as the appropriate cleaners for the precise finish you have on your hardwood floors.
Routine Hardwood Flooring Maintenance
1) Sweeping. As mentioned before, keeping the debris, dirt, and dust is essential for the longevity and condition of your floors. If you prefer using a broom ensure the bristles are soft and fine with exploded ends to trap the dirt, dust and debris. This will allow for an effective clean without inflicting damage.
2) Vacuum. Just as we touched on before, if you prefer the convenience of a vacuum make sure to utilize the bare floor settings and designated attachments to sufficiently clean and preserve your hardwood floors.
3) Dust mops. A good dust mop goes a long way. A dust mop with 12”-18” cotton head and prepared with a special dust mop treatment is optimal. Spray the treatment onto the mop head 12 to 24 hours before dust mopping, or according to label’s directions.
Hardwood Floor Deep Cleaning Maintenance
In the event your hardwood floors have spots that require mopping, consult the manufacturer’s instructions specific to your hardwood floor type and finish. If you do not know the finish on your floor or uncertain of the type of hardwood floors, use a barely damp cloth to clean up the spots and immediately follow up with a dry towel to absorb the moisture residue.
Commercial Cleaning & Janitorial Services in Hamiltons Fort, Hurricane, Ivins, Santa Clara, Washington, Cedar City & St. George, UT
If your hardwood floors are in need of professional assistance, call Busy Bee Cleaning & Janitorial Service and let our experts care for your hardwood floors.
