Basic floor care: Hardwood flooring

Hardwood is a material which has been used for flooring for centuries – indeed if hardwood is seen as offering a classy finish to any setting, it is probably due to the fact that for such a long time it could only be afforded by the upper middle and high classes in society and was a symbol of status as much as anything else.  Nowadays of course, this type of floor is much more affordable yet still offers the same classy finish as long as you can keep it clean and maintain it properly.  Hardwood is, unfortunately, very prone to marking and staining from any form of spillage and is not ‘wipe-cleanable’ like ceramic tiles – meaning that over time hardwood can very quickly acquire an unsatisfactory finish.

The basics of caring for your hardwood floor focus very much on prevention and being proactive.  The most important element is to avoid spillages altogether, easier said than done as spillages are, of course, accidental in nature.  For this reason it is not common to find hardwood in areas where spillages are more likely such as washrooms and bathrooms.  If a spillage does occur, it is vital to clean it up immediately.  Pets and small children can also cause problems and won’t advise, so it is always possible that a spillage can go unnoticed for some time.

The first step to protecting your floor is the application of a high quality commercial sealant, a small step given the considerable investment made on the floor.  A sealant offers an additional layer of protection, reducing the chances of liquid seeping into the wood or seeping into joints.  Your floor may already have a sealant applied, just let a drop of water fall on the surface and see if it ‘floats’ on the surface, it should be obviously if it has a decent sealant or not.  It is always useful to know what has been previously applied to the floor so make sure to keep track.  If you decide to apply a sealant it is important to make sure that the floor is clean before the sealant is applied, and that the right type of sealant is chosen.  A floor care specialist will be able to recommend a good one for you.

Once a sealant has been applied it is important to protect it as any damage will expose the surface below and allow for bacteria, dirt, grime or any staining to build-up over time.  The main damage to sealants and the surface itself comes in the form of small surface scratches and abrasions, so avoiding these as much as possible is a great step.  Most scratches come from dirt and grit walked in on the soles of shoes, so placing doormats at entrances, a simple step, and using them should reduce the amount coming into the location.  Regular sweeping and vacuuming should remove any surface dirt present.

Scratches can also come from dragging or banging heavy objects such as furniture, or the scraping of chair legs.  In these cases care should be taken when moving these objects, and padded tips for the corners and sharp points are also recommended. In any case floors should be periodically re-sealed to offer ongoing protection as surface staining can involve a complicated sanding process to restore it.  If you have any doubts feel free to consult a professional floor care company which will be able to assist you.