No matter if you feature wood floors in your home or business, they need to be properly cared for. In order to protect the overall condition, longevity, and aesthetics of the wood floors, you need to care and maintain the floors. Today, we at American Hometown Services would like to share the basics and some tips on keeping your hardwood floors clean.

What are Solid Wood Floors?

Solid hardwood flooring is often installed in homes and businesses, and by design, they are made thicker and more durable. If you decide for new installation, solid hardwood floors can be unfinished, or factory finished. Since it comes pre-sanded and finished, factory finishes minimize the install work. It is a more ideal option for those wanting to implement custom designs to install unfinished wood as it requires the sanding and finishing following the installation. There is a process and walking on the hardwood floor is not recommended until it is completed from installation, to sanding, to finishing, however. Though solid hardwood flooring is more costly than the other alternatives, the investment is well worth it due to the durability and longevity.

How Do You Maintain Solid Hardwood Floors?

1) Make certain the windows are covered with blinds, UV film, or curtains during any hours of direct sunlight that hits the hardwood flooring. The wood dries out and fades the color when the sun shines directly on the wood.
2) There is a lot of foot traffic from potential particulates that can contribute to blemishes or damage, area rugs and runners are ideal for entry points and areas in an effort to offer the hardwood floor more protection.
3) Use a soft bristled broom, a dust mop, or a vacuum that features a “bare floor” or “hardwood floor” setting to clear away the surface dust and debris. To avoid scuffing the floors as you are walking, this should be done daily to keep the dust and dirt off the surface. The finish deteriorates, and scratches and scuffs develop in the wood from the dirt and debris combined with everyday walking.
4) Once a week or every 2 weeks, use a cleaner to specific for hardwood floors to remove any residues and buff them out.

How Do You Protect Solid Hardwood Floors from Damage?

1) If you chose laminated or engineered wood, there are similarities to the care and maintenance, but it also has its own specific needs as well. Make sure you know the care involved.
2) Just like the tracked in dirt and mud can scratch and scuff the floor, your pet’s nails can cause damage. Keep your pet’s nails trimmed and their paws cleaned to minimize the negative impact.
3) To maintain wood floors and avoid shrinkage, keep the humidity levels between 35% and 55%. Humidifiers can help maintain the humidity balance.
4) Avoid wearing abrasive shoes like high heel shoes, and spike shoes while walking on the wood floors.
5) Unless it is formulated specifically for wood floors, use plain water and immediately dry up the water residue and avoid using cleaners to clean the floor if stains or spots occur.
6) For your hardwood floor as mentioned, only use cleaning aids and treatments specifically formulated.
7) Any scouring pads, steel wool pads, or anything containing metal and other abrasive cleaning tools need to be avoided.
8) Use a clean, dry microfiber cloth to immediately wipe up spills. From leaving water on the surface can seep into the gaps that leads to water damage and warping.

Hardwood Floor Cleaning Services & More in Quincy, Macomb, Hamilton, Warsaw & East Alton Illinois | Hannibal, Missouri

The wood floors are likely to need deep cleaning every so often. When they do require such a cleaning, leave it to the professionals to ensure there is no damage done and call American Hometown Services and let us assist you.