Everybody loves the look of wood flooring. They’re not only strong and durable, they provide a natural beauty to any room of the home. Some people steer away from wood floors, however, for the maintenance they require. Scratches, gouges, and stains can devastate any homeowner who spends good money on their wood flooring. Fortunately, there are several ways that floors can be cleaned and maintained to keep them looking beautiful.
Six Quick Maintenance Tips
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Iron It Out. You might iron your shirts for work, but you can use that same iron on your wood floors. Place a wet cloth on dents and use a hot iron to flatten them. Test on a small section first.
- Put On Socks. Socks can keep your feet from getting chilly, but they can also protect your wood floors. Put them on table and chair legs whenever you move them to keep them from scratching the floor.
- Get The Toothpaste. Toothpaste works wonders on marks and scuffs. Put a dab on a damp cloth and rub to remove marks. A magic eraser can have the same effect.
- Powder It Down. Do your wood floors creak? Grab the baby powder and stop the squeak. Sprinkle on the cracks and spaces between boards and listen to the silence.
- Oil It Up. If you have a few minor scratches on your wood floors, canola oil can help. Rub a bit of oil on the scratches to reduce their visibility.
- Use A Teabag. When you run out of cleaner, head to the pantry. A black teabag works in a pinch to clean floors without the use of chemicals.
Speaking Of Cleaning…
Regular dusting and cleaning will keep the hardwood floors in your home looking beautiful. It’s recommended that you use the proper tools to clean them: a mop with a machine washable microfiber pad. This uses electrostatic action to attract dirt, particles, and common household allergens.
Stay away from water and vinegar, soap-based cleaners, and wax or steam cleaners. Vinegar will dull the finish over time. Soap and wax cleaners leave a residue. Steam cleaners use heat and water, which can lead to long-term floor damage.
Stick To A Schedule
Depending on the traffic in your home, you should polish the floors every two to three months with a good polish. This is a good schedule to set to keep it looking beautiful. Low traffic areas can go four to six months between polishes.
A good polish renews and refreshes the finish on your wood floors. It fills in tiny scratches and evens out the protective surface. Polishing takes minimal effort and delivers maximum results. With all of the feet that walk on your hardwood floors, you might consider a deep cleaning or a sand-and-refinish every three to five years.
Don’t let fear keep you from having wood floors in your home. These tips will help them stay amazing. Follow manufacturer guidelines at all times, and seek professional assistance for further questions.
