Wood floor cleaning – Avoiding surface damage

Hardwood floors have been around for centuries, traditionally only available to the upper-middle or rich classes in society, they retain an element of class and sophistication to this very day.  Hardwood floors were for decades seen as a troublesome material, difficult to maintain – mainly due to poor installation and maintenance, but a well-cared for hardwood floor would look exceptional and classy for many years to come.

Hardwood is by no means difficult to maintain, although it will be more complicated than most stone and man-made tile floors, but wood is, in general susceptible to marking and staining and spillages are a constant problem.  The best way to deal with problems is to apply a good sealant to the floor which will prevent liquids seeping into the wood, staining it or filtering the joints and damaging the wood over time.  It is important to seal correctly and periodically, but after that protecting the floor is vital to keep it looking good.

One of the keys to maintaining your floor is avoiding surface damage it the form of scratches, surface abrasions, dents or even general wear over time.  There are many reasons for this, but the idea is that once a floor has been sealed, it is simply a case of using a slightly damp mop with maybe a little soap to keep it clean.  If there are scratches or marks on the floor, however, the bacteria, dirt and grime plus residue from any spillages has a place to build up over time and, while it may not be visible to the naked eye at first, can quickly develop into a stain directly on the surface of the wood.

Most surface damage is caused by surface dirt and grit particles which are usually walked in on the soles of shoes.  If you doubt this have a quick sweep of the floor and see how much dirt is gathered up, or simply check the soles of your shoes next time you walk in from the street.  Placing (and using) doormats at entrances, plus regular (daily if possible) sweeping and vacuuming will remove the majority of this surface dirt.  Once that has been done, you should simply wash your floor, although you may wish to consult a wood floor cleaning specialist if you want to use a specific product.

Heavy objects, furniture and chair legs can also cause surface marking so it is important to take care here also.  Heavy objects should be lifted and never dragged (ask someone to help you if necessary) and padded tips should be applied to sharp points, corners or the tips of chair legs to reduce the risk of damage.

If you notice a mark on the floor which you cannot shift it is possible that there has been a surface build-up over time, or that the floor itself has become stained.  Different situations will require very different treatments, so it is important to contact a professional wood floor cleaning company which will be able to recommend the appropriate course of action, from surface buffing to surface sanding depending on the severity of the problem.  Be sure to remember any previous sealants and treatments that have been applied to the floor.