Hardwood Floor Maintenance

 
Always follow the maintenance instructions provided by the manufacturer of your flooring product. Ask your dealer for information.

The following is general floor care and maintenance advice:

Preventative maintenance: Is key to your floor finish last the test of time. Use mats at all outside doorways. Outside shoes should not be worn indoors.

Dirt and Grit
Dirt, hair, grit and sand are your hardwood floor’s worst enemies. They act like sandpaper on the finish, causing scratches, dents and dulling. Place floor mats at entrances to trap dirt before it enters your home, this will prevent damage.

Water and other spills
Standing water can soak into your hardwood floor, warp it and damage the finish. Simply wipe up all spills as they happen.
Water and vinegar mixes are only recommended for wiping up local, small spills.

Store bought cleaners
Avoid oil soaps. They can build up and create problems when it’s time to put a maintenance coat on the floor. Instead, neutral pH cleaners made specifically for wood floors are recommended.

Furniture
Lift the furniture to move it --- avoid dragging.  Felt floor protectors under the legs will help prevent scratches. Clean accumulated hair and grit off the felt glides periodically and as necessary.
Use plastic mats beneath office or rolling chairs.

Dents
Vacuum with a brush attachment -- don’t use vacuums with beater bars or hard plastic surfaces that will scratch.

Sun
Direct sun can discolor your hardwood floor. Close curtains and blinds or add sheer drapes to protect from the sun’s intense UV rays.

Relative Humidity and temperature
Make sure that your homes temperature and relative humidity remain within manufacturers recommended levels even when you are away for extended periods of time.

• Temperature - Usually between 16 to 26 degrees C

• Relative Humidity between 35 and 55%
  

In floor Radiant Heat
Adjust the temperature with this type of heating system gradually at a rate of approximately 5 degrees per day. Heating or cooling the flooring suddenly may cause excessive shrinkage or expansion which in turn may lead to problems.

Recommended Maintenance Schedule

Daily - Sweep or dust mop. Use a good quality dust mop --- one with a 12 to 18 inch cotton head ---- and a special dust mop treatment. Spray the treatment onto the mop head 12 to 24 hours before dust mopping.

Weekly - Canister vacuums with special bare floor attachments are the surest way to get rid of all the dirt and dust.

Monthly - Clean with recommended wood flooring cleaner
Minimize the use of liquid. Damp mop only when necessary. Wet the mop and then wring it out before wiping down the floor. This help dust particles stick to the mop head.

Site finished floors: Every 3 - 5 Years (or as necessary) - add a maintenance coat

Every Few Decades (or as necessary) - Sand and refinish