When it comes to redecorating, among the single most productive things you can do is update your floors. Trading your old carpeting for a beautiful hardwood floor really can add a splash of style to your space and immediately upgrade the total appearance and feel of your home.

However, before you take the plunge and spend in hardwood floors , it’s important that you understand the specific care demands that come with them. Although wood flooring might appear to be a low-maintenance option, a particular amount of TLC must keep it looking spick and span.
What’s more, you may have to throw out everything you know about cleaning too! It’s so common that people who have wooden floors wind up destroying them by simply cleaning them incorrectly.
While it might appear a daunting prospect to choose a flooring option that’s somewhat temperamental, do not reconsider just yet. All it requires is a small knowledge of the way to clean your hardwood flooring so you don’t make the mistake of accidentally damaging your flooring.
Here are just five of the most frequent traps people fall into when cleaning their hardwood flooring .
Employing An Incorrect Vacuum Attachment
Unfortunately, not all suction tools were made equal. In reality, some vacuum attachments may have adverse effects on hardwood floors. Over time, an incorrect vacuum head can scrape wooden surfaces and leave more pesky spaces for dirt or dust to conceal, all in all, which makes them harder to clean. In this case, certainly steer clear of any attachments that contain rotating brushes or a beater bar with stiff bristles, as these heads are too abrasive for delicate wooden materials and will cause damage.
Alternatively, you ought to go for an attachment which has a soft brush or sensed component with less resistance. You can also consider using a vacuum with a smaller or lighter canister since these machines are not as heavy and are not as likely to create marks or dents.
Mopping Cosmetic Flooring As You Would Tiles
So, it makes sense using a wet mop to wash is a no-go in regards to hardwood floors. The greatest risk you run into here is water seeping down in the flooring and causing warping, movement, or swelling.
Nevertheless, you can still wash your floors, but it is ideal to refrain from mopping using a saturated brush. Rather, grab a mop that is basically dry, or just slightly damp, to maintain polished look. Your wood floors will thank you later!
Using Common Household Cleaners
Vinegar and ammonia-based cleansers are highly renowned in the home cleaning world, since they are known to be equally versatile and cost-effective. But using such products on hardwood flooring is an absolute faux pas. When these goods, will with no doubt remove debris or stains, they will also damage the wood’s finish by slowly eating away at the surface.
Not only this, it’s also advisable to avoid natural cleaning agents like baking soda and abrasive bottled sprays, as these cleaners will reduce the protective coating of your hardwood flooring.
Choosing an oil-based cleaning product is your best option. Oil-based cleaners are ideal for hardwood floors since they won’t damage the wood’s look, prematurely age the timber, or diminish the surface.
If you’re unsure what cleaner to use, you should contact your flooring maker who will be able to advise you on the best care instructions for your product.
Excessive Amounts of Water On The Floors
Even though it’s not possible to steer clear of modest spills here and there, it’s important to be aware that excessive amounts of water can cause the timber to buckle. Not only this, exotic hardwood styles like Brazilian Cherry, Jarrah or Merbau could create stained patches as a consequence of water.
Neglecting Regular Hardwood Maintenance
Following your hardwood flooring are installed, you are home free, right? Unfortunately, no! Wooden flooring need long-term care to make sure they continue to look good as new. Many individuals don’t comprehend this, but sweeping frequently can not just eliminate dust but also extend the lifespan of the wood.
Furthermore, if you begin to detect scratches here and there, it’s ideal to repair these floorboards as soon as possible. The more quickly you attend to little problem areas, the easier the repair job is; it is the difference between buffing a spot and sanding the whole board down to refinish. To this end, consider caring for your hardwood flooring like you do yard maintenance: regular mowing takes much less time, energy and money than tending into an overgrown jungle of weeds!