In a recent survey by Houzz, 47% of respondents said they prefer hard wood flooring in their home over other floor materials, and 34% said they already have hardwood installed in their house. Additional data from the National Association of Realtors found that 54% of home buyers are willing to pay more for a home with hardwood flooring. But what many homeowners may not know is that hardwood floors need very specific care. Here’s a quick guide to help you keep your floors looking as good as new.
Weekly Cleaning
Weekly cleanings of your hardwood floors will help elongate their life and keeps them looking as new as it looked right after your initial floor installation. Wood floor materials can usually be cleaned with a weekly dusting or vacuum. Never use a wet cleaning agent unless it is specifically created to handle hardwood floor textures. It is recommended to treat your dust mop with a dusting agent, which will help grab up any loose particles.
Deep Cleaning
With a proper weekly cleaning schedule, hardwood floors only need to be deep cleaned once every six months. Over time, dirt, oil, and grime can start to build up on the floor, which can make your floor look dull and faded. To give your hardwood floors a good cleaning, mix a solution of water and a wood-cleaning product and dip a mop in it. Before you start to mop, wring it out until it is almost dry. This will keep the water from damaging the wood.
Getting Out Scratch Marks
Surface scratches are scratches that only appear on the top protective coating. If you have a surface scratch, you can clean the area with a soft cloth. You can then add a new layer of protective coating, which will have to dry overnight. If the scratches are deeper in the floor, you will likely need to sand the wood down and refinish it. If you don’t know how to refinish wood, it’s best to leave it to the professionals to avoid any more damage to your floors.
