How to Keep Hardwood Floors Clean – Today’s guest blog is by The Law Office of Jared Allen. The opinions expressed by the author in this and all guest blogs are not necessarily those of Glendale Remodel.
Hardwood floors never go out of fashion and add a luxurious element to your home. They are a lot more expensive, as opposed to concrete or tiled floors, but they are worth the investment. Despite the high upfront cost, they are quite easy and affordable to maintain. Hardwood is one of the most durable materials for flooring and does not require complete replacement like other kinds. It is convenient to refurbish and can be preserved for a hundred years with good care.
How to Keep Hardwood Floors Clean
Hardwood has been around since the beginning of time, yet the charm is eternal. California Real Estate Attorney claims that hardwood flooring instantly elevates the aesthetic of a home, thereby boosting its resale value. Hardwood is not an ideal flooring material for hot and humid regions, yet unanimously remains a popular choice worldwide. Follow these simple steps to keep your hardwood floors looking pristine and suave for life:
Eliminate Water
Excess water is hardwood’s enemy, causing it to stain and rot. Too much moisture may promote the growth of molds and stimulate bug infestation. Whenever an accident occurs and liquid spills, clean it up immediately. Stash a few dry towels in handy places, and keep water containers off the ground. Use separate shoes for indoors, so you don’t bring mud and dirt from the outside. If you have pets that are still in training, make sure they don’t urinate on your hardwood; uric acid and ammonia can damage the floor’s luster. Discourage wet feet and water-based toys (inflatable pools, water guns, etc.) around the house. An artist in the family must use a protective sheet on the floor while painting or working with anything that drips.
Gentle Feet
Be gentle on your feet and avoid sharp contact with the hardwood floor. Pointed heels are bad for your posture and instigate personal injuries; moreover, these high heels exert 50 times more pressure than a flat shoe. Although hardwood is sturdy, heavy and pointy objects can cause considerable wear and tear over time. Pets with sharp nails or claws can also produce unflattering scratches, so keep them well-groomed. Moving the furniture around too much can also produce similar effects; you can either use a rug underneath or insert felt pads at the feet.
Minimize the Heat
Excessive exposure to heat triggers expansion and burnout of wood. Replace your gas heaters with electrical inverters or warm air blowers. If your windows let in the bright and scorching sunlight, draw your curtains/blinds as the heat may bleach your floors or cause discoloration. Dwellers, who undergo an extremely cold climate and favor heated floors, must opt for ceramic tiles.
Use the Right Cleaning Products
Many homeowners fail to restore their flooring because of poor cleaning practices. The traditional bucket of water and drenched mop are a criminal offense against hardwood; standard alkaline floor cleaners are equally bad. Abrasives, vinegar, chemical detergents, and baking soda make the list of things that can ruin the surface finish and uncover raw wood underneath. Avoid using wax and polish as well, because they build up a hazy layer, which is quite difficult to get rid of later on.
The right way is to remove dust with a vacuum cleaner that comes without a beater bar. You can also use a soft broom to sweep the floor on a daily basis. Once or twice a week, you may clean the floor with a mop cloth sprayed with some hardwood cleaner. You can top that with a swipe of a slightly damp cloth (the water must be thoroughly squeezed out) to remove chemical residue of the cleaner.