How to Care for a Hardwood Floor
Hardwood floors are prone to getting scratch and dent marks, and losing their shine and luster, when they are not well cared for. These floors need constant cleaning, polishing and waxing to keep in good form, but they are very beautiful in the right condition.
Basic care
- Start by mopping with a wet mop to pick up dirt, dust, hairs and fibers that form debris on the floor. Do quick dusting using disposable cloths.
- Vacuum should be done with an electric broom or a floor brush attached to a vacuum cleaner during the weekly or fortnightly cleanings.
- Avoid using a vacuum cleaner with a beater bar as it can scratch the floor.
Removing marks
Modern hardwood floors are refinished and resealed unlike those of the past. The sealing is done using hard finishing like urethane. Floors with hard finish do not stain easily as the stains do not penetrate the finish.
You can tell if the stain has penetrated or not by its color. White stains are topical and are on the finish. Black colored stains signal that the stain has gone deeper into the wood. If the stain is one the finish and has not penetrated use a soft clean cloth to wipe off. Avoid using agents that can scratch the floor including sandpaper, steel wool and harsh chemicals.
For soft finished floors where stains penetrate the finish into the wood, you can try;
- Using fine steel wool to rub in wax to eliminate heel marks that have caused dents in the wood.
- Remove pet stains and dark spots by using No. 000 steel wool to rub and wax the spot. For a stubborn dark stain, apply bleach or vinegar and wait for one hour to soak through. Rinse with a clean cloth and if the stain does not disappear, apply a stronger concentration of bleach.
- Remove water marks and white stains by using a No. 000 steel wool to rub and wax the spot. For stains that have gone deeper into the wood, sand the floor lightly, clean with fine steel wool and wash off with odorless mineral spirits.
- For oily stains, use a dish washing detergent and a soft cloth to break down and wash off the grease. Rinse with clean water and check if the stain has disappeared. If the stain is still stubborn, use stronger detergent to repeat the washing until the spot fades. You can also use ammonia. When the spot dries, rub the spot with fine grain sandpaper.Pacific Breeze Cleaning specializing in Organic , Non -toxic Cleaning Contact Us to book your appointment today.
