Got Wood Floors?
Having wood flooring is a great thing! So I'm here to help you keep your wood floors looking fabulous!
In the twenty some years I have been in construction, I have installed thousands of square feet of hardwood flooring of all types and species in the known world...almost. I have installed Purple Heartwood, Tiger Wood (not the golfer) Zebra Wood, Hickory, Bamboo, Maple, Ebony, Fur, Pine, Oak of all colors and grades, well you get the picture.
So, I have had to learn and retain lots of information about wood flooring. Some useful, some not. What I want to do is impart some of this learned wisdom to you so you can take care of this investment you walk and play on every day.
I have provided some basic dos and don't s of hardwood floor care and maintenance tips to keep them looking great for a long time.
Doing some more research off the web, talking to my flooring contractors Andy & Patrick Cox of Cox Hardwood Flooring and my basic knowledge is where this information is derived from, so here goes.
BASIC DO'S
Do: Invite your Project Manager over to your house for a beer on your hardwood floors.
Do: Place Felt Protector pads on ALL furniture legs that sit on wood flooring
Do: Place walk off mats and area rugs in high traffic areas (make sure they stay dry and are cleaned underneath often). Sand is the enemy under a door mat as well as water and the Taliban.
Do: Perform routine maintenance as recommended by manufacturer, this should include sweeping, vacuuming and/or dust mopping to remove dirt and grit. Keep this as a regularly scheduled event, and stick to it. Always perform this process before and after a major event that involves a high volume of traffic on the floor.
Do: Keep high heel shoes in good repairs, (This means all you guys in drag too) as well as keeping your pets nails trimmed on a regular bases.
Now the DON'T S
Do Not: Use WET mops, a damp mopping is OK but stay away from lots of water. This can cause the floors to crown or cup. If this happens, just let it dry and the floors will come back.
Do Not: Use ammonia or chemicals that contain ammonia, this can strip and dull the finish big time.
Do Not: Use dust cleaners! This is bad JuJu. If you are in stocking feet or your kids are, you WILL FALL and falling is bad.
Do Not: Track in dirt or sand, clean immediately.
Do Not: Use cleaning products not designed for hardwood flooring.
Do Not: Wax a urethane finish- NEVER EVER EVER!
Wood floors are NOT impervious to the day to day grit, food, spills, and water.
Preventive maintenance like area rugs, floor protectors (on ALL furniture on your wood floors), and routine maintenance with proper hardwood floor cleaner should always be exercised. Improper products can contribute to additional wear, may VOID your warranty, and cause failure when re- coating.
Here is a link to find great floor care products.
http://www.safehomeproducts.com/shp2/es/bona_kemi.asp
OK, now I'm off the help an old lady cross the street and rescue a puppy from a burning building.
your friend Scott
Having wood flooring is a great thing! So I'm here to help you keep your wood floors looking fabulous!
In the twenty some years I have been in construction, I have installed thousands of square feet of hardwood flooring of all types and species in the known world...almost. I have installed Purple Heartwood, Tiger Wood (not the golfer) Zebra Wood, Hickory, Bamboo, Maple, Ebony, Fur, Pine, Oak of all colors and grades, well you get the picture.
So, I have had to learn and retain lots of information about wood flooring. Some useful, some not. What I want to do is impart some of this learned wisdom to you so you can take care of this investment you walk and play on every day.
I have provided some basic dos and don't s of hardwood floor care and maintenance tips to keep them looking great for a long time.
Doing some more research off the web, talking to my flooring contractors Andy & Patrick Cox of Cox Hardwood Flooring and my basic knowledge is where this information is derived from, so here goes.
BASIC DO'S
Do: Invite your Project Manager over to your house for a beer on your hardwood floors.
Do: Place Felt Protector pads on ALL furniture legs that sit on wood flooring
Do: Place walk off mats and area rugs in high traffic areas (make sure they stay dry and are cleaned underneath often). Sand is the enemy under a door mat as well as water and the Taliban.
Do: Perform routine maintenance as recommended by manufacturer, this should include sweeping, vacuuming and/or dust mopping to remove dirt and grit. Keep this as a regularly scheduled event, and stick to it. Always perform this process before and after a major event that involves a high volume of traffic on the floor.
Do: Keep high heel shoes in good repairs, (This means all you guys in drag too) as well as keeping your pets nails trimmed on a regular bases.
Now the DON'T S
Do Not: Use WET mops, a damp mopping is OK but stay away from lots of water. This can cause the floors to crown or cup. If this happens, just let it dry and the floors will come back.
Do Not: Use ammonia or chemicals that contain ammonia, this can strip and dull the finish big time.
Do Not: Use dust cleaners! This is bad JuJu. If you are in stocking feet or your kids are, you WILL FALL and falling is bad.
Do Not: Track in dirt or sand, clean immediately.
Do Not: Use cleaning products not designed for hardwood flooring.
Do Not: Wax a urethane finish- NEVER EVER EVER!
Wood floors are NOT impervious to the day to day grit, food, spills, and water.
Preventive maintenance like area rugs, floor protectors (on ALL furniture on your wood floors), and routine maintenance with proper hardwood floor cleaner should always be exercised. Improper products can contribute to additional wear, may VOID your warranty, and cause failure when re- coating.
Here is a link to find great floor care products.
http://www.safehomeproducts.com/shp2/es/bona_kemi.asp
OK, now I'm off the help an old lady cross the street and rescue a puppy from a burning building.
your friend Scott
1 comment:
Scott, you are doing a fantastic job here on these articles!
We're getting ready to refinish our floors here, so these tips are surely going to come in handy.
I have a few questions for future articles you may or may not want?
What about mini blinds? What's the best way to clean those- (aluminum and vinyl Levelors?) The new office is getting some 'elbow-grease' and UGH! what a mess;
Also, we have a contemporary home. Our front porch is very big- however, the concrete slab is (ugh) painted a ghastly color of paint.
Would you cover it with a deck material or new concrete? I was even thinking even flagstone or some type of tile? ...
Anyways, I had to ask :)
Thanks so much! Love the tips!!
Your friend,
Scarlett
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