Published on 31 March 2020
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If you’ve recently installed a new wooden floor or worked on your existing wooden floor with a floor sander to make it look amazing, keeping it looking its best for as long as possible is going to be key. Throughout this blog, we’re going to be looking at the kind of aftercare you should be doing to prolong the look of your floors. Simple routines that will have you and Lionel dancing for many years to come.
If you’ve lived with a wooden floor for any length of time, you’ll know that, over time, despite your best efforts, it will undoubtedly get chipped with constant use. Also, any paint or varnish you have previously applied will start to flake. It’s all part and parcel of owning a real hardwood floor, but don’t worry, there will always be things you can do.
Much of the aftercare that comes with owning a hardwood floor is preventative. Utilise strategies that prevent damage in the first place, rather than trying to repair it once the damage is done.
These measures can include adding rugs and runners to areas with higher foot traffic, like hallways and corridors. It’s also a good idea to tape these in a position to stop them from moving underfoot. If you have any friends who are partial to wearing stiletto heels, get them to remove them before walking on unprotected areas of the floor.
For furniture, any good option is to add soft plastic glides or ‘feet’ under the legs of sideboards, tables, chairs, and book-cases. This will minimise scratches when they are moved. With that in mind, if the furniture is heavy, always try and get help to lift it, rather than dragging it into new positions to prevent scratches.
If you have recently sanded your floor and subsequently lacquered it, it’s best to wait a couple of weeks before you apply any cleaning product to it, if it’s needed at all. When the time is right though, don’t use water on its own as a cleaning agent. Standing water from a mop or bucket can stain the wood and ultimately damage it. You will need to use a dedicated cleaner. Also, avoid using floor cleaners that have been designed for other materials like stone or vinyl. Stick to those specifically for hardwood and stay clear of products that contain ammonia, bleach or any abrasive chemicals.
For day-to-day cleaning, the best option is with a soft brush or a vacuum cleaner with a brush or felt attachment. A feather-duster can be used to clean around and under furniture. If your floor starts to lack a little sparkle, then you can mix equal parts white distilled vinegar and vegetable oil in a spray bottle. Once applied, use a dry cloth to rub the mixture evenly until it has been absorbed by the wood. Once done, use another cloth with a little elbow grease to buff it to a glorious shine. The results are fantastic.
Wooden floors look amazing in any house, but they are not without their needs. By following these simple things, you can ensure that your floor will look incredible for many years to come and most definitely, all night long.
We hope that our blog has been informative and helpful if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to give us a call on 0208 427 6604 or alternatively head over to our contact page and fill in our online enquiry form.
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