Hardwood Flooring Care and Maintenance

In time, scratches, stains and imperfections are inevitable. Often, this can be seen to add character and charm to your hardwood flooring. However, if simple care and maintenance techniques are followed, these imperfections can be minimised and your hardwood flooring will serve you for decades as an elegant and quality investment to your home.

ROUTINE CARE

Some general tips to help you care for your new hardwood floor:

Most vacuums are equipped with a hard floor attachment, this should be used regularly to clean the floor of dirt and grit which could scratch and damage the flooring.
Your flooring should be cleaned regularly with a damp mop and specialist floor cleaner. This should then be dried thoroughly with a clean cloth.
Any spillage should be cleaned up straight away with a damp cloth. Liquids should never be left on your floor as this may cause the boards to warp and split.
Once your floor begins to look dull it may be time to get it refinished. This will restore the original beauty of your floor and will help protect and reseal against moisture which will ultimately extend the lifespan of your floor.
Items of furniture should never be dragged across solid flooring as this may cause deep gouging.
Try to avoid any heeled or metal-tipped shoe being worn across the floor as this can easily cause indents and imperfections.

SPECIALISED CARE

Chewing gum and candle wax can be removed by hardening the spot with ice then gently scrape with a plastic scraper (e.g. credit card).
To remove harsh stains, such as paint, stay away from strong chemicals and abrasives which could damage your floor. Instead, stick to an approved, mild cleaner.
Boards that have been subject to severe damage may need to be replaced. For this, it is advised that you seek professional help.

TIPS AND TRICKS

An entry mat should be used to collect dirt and prevent it from being carried into your home.
Use decorative rugs in high traffic areas of your home to reduce wear.
When cleaning, never soak your floor or use products not appropriate for wood floors as this can damage the flooring and void the warranty.
Floor protectors should be used under furniture to prevent indents and scratches.
Touch up kits are widely available online that can fix small gouges or scratches.

OTHER USEFUL GUIDES