It does not matter if it is a home or a workspace, hardwood floors are the most coveted flooring type. They add warmth to the space, increase the value of the property, and make a beautiful first impression.
When properly installed and maintained regularly, they are said to last a century and still look incredibly beautiful.
Making sure that your hardwood floors are maintained properly doesn’t have to be a complicated task. You can rely on our experience and professional advice for keeping your floors looking as good as new always.
Here are some tips to keep in mind:
Develop a Cleaning Routine
To keep your hardwood floors in top shape, consider regular cleanings. This means sweeping up dirt using a dust mop immediately to prevent scratches. Invest in a quality vacuum cleaner to pick up dust left over by the broom and use it at least once a week. Wipe water stains quickly and never use a wet or steam mop to avoid warping the floors.
That said, you do need to use a hardwood flooring cleaner to deep clean the grime and dust. Some things that you should never use on your wood floors are soaps, liquid wax, tile cleaners, steel wool pads, or cleaners with vinegar, lemon scent, or ammonia.
Keep the Shoes off the Floors
Even if wipe your shoes before entering the house, they may still bring in minuscule debris. These particles, though small, can easily scratch your hardwood floors. High heels are also a problem. Exposing your floors to the pressure of the heel can cause dents over a period.
We advise keeping a shoe rack with a change of shoes just next to your entrance. Using soft-soled shoes also helps.
Keep a Watch on Furniture Scratches
Furniture dents are something we almost often forget. Heavy furniture laid across your hardwood flooring may cause the floor to develop pressure spots. That’s not all, the constant dragging of chairs across the floors may also damage the floor finish by scratching it.
To prevent this, invest in protective materials such as gliders or felt pads. They are placed on the bottoms of the chair and table legs. Also, remember to always lift and place your furniture while rearranging or moving it.
Consider Rugs and Carpets
Runners, mats, or rugs come in handy in active areas of your home. One such area is your kitchen where water or food is likely to be dropped on the floor. They also work well in high-traffic areas like your living room and prevent scratches from shoe heels. A carpet placed outside the entrance of these areas also prevents dirt and dust from winding up inside with shoes.
Keep Out the Sunlight
Have you ever moved a piece of furniture and noticed that the floor color is different than the rest of the floor? The UV rays in sunlight are to blame. Hardwood floors are photosensitive. This means that wood reacts to UV light causing it to fade, darken or crack, especially when it is Tigerwood or Brazilian Cherry wood.
There are several ways in which you can block the sunlight streaming from your windows. We recommend using UV finishing or awnings. Alternatively, you can get low e-glass windows that limit the UV rays considerably.
Humidify Your Room
There is something known as the ‘winterization effect’ when it comes to hardwood floors. Whenever you increase the temperature of your room heater, it sucks the moisture out of the air. When there is a change in humidity, your floors change too and tend to expand.
A humidifier is an excellent device to increase the air’s humidity levels. They keep the humidity at ideal levels i.e. between 35-55% and prevent cupping and expanding of your hardwood flooring.
Buff and Wax
Due to natural wear and tear, Calgary hardwood flooring tends to look faded after a time. To restore their rich gleam and glossiness, we advise buffing and waxing them at least twice a year. This process not just alleviates the beauty of the floors, but also prolongs their life. The wax thickens acts as a protective sealant that prevents minor damage and makes them scratch resistant.
Since hardwood floors are a major investment, it makes sense to get a professional cleaning done once a year. We have served Calgary homeowners for the past 2 decades and helped them maintain stunning hardwood floors.
