Wooden floors make great isolation, look beautiful and are quite expensive. It is not something that you want to scratch or damage, so you need to learn how to take proper care for it. Don't be alarmed, maintaining your wooden floors in good condition, is actually quite simple, and it won't take a lot of your time. The most key thing is that you are consistent and don't skip on your cleaning duties.
Step 1: Eliminate the Stains Immediately
Steins and spots are your worst nightmare. Most modern wooden floors are water resistant but this doesn't mean other liquids cant harm the coating of your floor. The most important thing you need to remember is to clean the spots right away. If you leave them to dry, there is a high risk of damaging the wooden surface. If you have decided to use DIY cleaners make sure to check what type of floor you own. There is a chance that the vinegar you are planning to use might dissolve the coating of the floor. Also, try to avoid baking soda as it has sand-like texture and even mix in a paste can still scratch the wood. Go to your local store and purchase a Green Cleaner for wooden floors. Nowadays the variety is so big there is no need for DIYs.
Step 2: Make a Cleaning Schedule
If you want to take good care to your floors, you need to make a system and stick to it. It is nothing complicated, of course.
Every couple of days. You need to mop and vacuum the floors regularly to prevent the build-up of dust, pet hairs and fibres. If you have a small household, you can do it once a week. Be careful while mopping, too much water is bad for the wood.Every couple of months. It is great if you can arrange the steam cleaning of your floors at the beginning of each season. This procedure uses very little water and no chemicals and it is absolutely safe and won't damage in any way the wooden floors. On the contrary, the stem will disinfect and deep-clean the wooden surface, leaving it looking like new.Step 3: How to Remove the Scratches
One of the most annoying things is having scratches on your new wooden floor. They can happen from everything - moving furniture around, dropping heavy objects, playing pets or kids. You need to know what to do when the time to remove the scratches comes. There are many methods you can use but we have decided to propose these two, mainly because they are the easiest ones.
Method 1 - Use wood stain markers to conceal the scratches. Gently clean the damaged surface with a damp microfibre cloth to remove all of the dust and small particles. Before applying the marker try it on to see if the colours match. The perfect spot for that is somewhere in the corners of the room or on the floor underneath your couch. When you are sure everything is blending perfectly, you can apply the marker on the scratch. Do not press, your goal is to stain the spot, not fill in the scratch directly. Afterwards, take a clean cloth and put a couple of drops of mineral spirits on it. Carefully rub the spot to remove any residual. Always follow the grain of the floor.Method 2 - Use wood wax to conceal the scratch. Clean the surface with a damp microfibre cloth and wood floor cleaner. It is important to let the floor to completely dry on its own. Don't wipe it because you can unintentionally embed fibres into the scratch. After it is all dried out rub a wax stick and fill the scratch. Let it sit and harden for about a day. Then use a soft cloth to rub and buff the scratch.Step 4: Things You Need to Avoid When You Have Wooden Floors
If you want to have spotless wooden floors, there are a couple of things you need to avoid.
Water. Wood absorbs water very fast and if you are not careful you can damage your floors. Say you live in a place with lots of rains like Bournemouth in the UK. Before entering the house make sure to properly dry your shoes and always clean the floors on which you stepped on.Do not pour the cleaner directly onto the floor. Use a mop and bucket or a steam cleaner. The liquid can soak into the boards or directly leave white stains and smudges on the floors.Place protective pads on the legs of your tables and chairs to avoid any scratching.Avoid using vinegar as a cleaning agent. It is acidic and will stain the coating or directly damage the wood.
About the Author
Stephanie is a content marketing specialist with extensive experience working with different companies in various business sectors.
