23Apr

5 Ways to Keep Your Hardwood Floors In Tip Top Shape

One thing is certain, hardwood floors never go out of style. Throughout the centuries, it remains to be one of the most preferred flooring of both home and building owners mainly because of its durability and its ability to add a warm classic and sophisticated look to a structure’s interior. This, however, doesn’t mean that it’s impenetrable and immune to damage.Like any other floors, hardwood is also prone to damage if not properly cared for. Since it’s made of organic materials unlike vinyl or ceramic flooring, its cellular structure can easily break down especially when it is constantly exposed to moisture. Moreover, hardwood floors don’t come cheap which is why it is imperative that you regularly maintain it to preserve its original look.In order to avoid damage on your hardwood floors you need to apply several protective measures. This not only guarantees that your floors are protected but it also helps increase the resale value of your home if in case you plan to sell it in the future. It’s also easier to sell a house with beautifully maintained hardwood floors than one that looks dull and grimy.

How to Keep Your Hardwood Floors Looking Its Best

Hardwood floors can only work its wonders in beautifying your home when it’s properly maintained. While additional specialized care may be necessary for some types of hardwood floors, most if not all of them require the same type of basic care. Here’s how you can extend the life of your hardwood floors and keep them from deteriorating.

Keep It Away From Long Exposure to Moisture

Moisture is one of the main culprits of hardwood floor deterioration. If you have hardwood floors installed in your kitchen, it will be exposed to excessive moisture such as those coming from the sink, overflowing dishwashers, and leaking refrigerators. In times like these, experts recommend putting a soft, rubber mat on the floor which will help in absorbing leaked water or any moisture that comes in contact with the floor.Water can also come from leaking windows during heavy rains or it could come from spilled water. In any case, water on hardwood floors should be cleaned up immediately so as not to give it a chance to seep in between the floorboards and causing damage. It also helps to place mats on the entryways like your front and back doors.

Use a Crayon to Fill In Gaps

Crayons aren’t just for kids. You will be surprised to know that you can also use it to fill in any gaps you find on your hardwood floor. Scratch the crayon on the surface of your floor gap and turn the blow drier on high. The crayon will eventually melt and start filling in the gaps. Let it dry for a few minutes and dab a soft cloth to fix it in place.

Vacuum Your Floors Regularly

As simple as vacuuming your floor not only keeps it spotless but it also helps in maintaining the integrity of your hardwood floors. Dusts and debris that accumulate in your home can act like sandpaper eventually ruining the surface of your floor.One helpful thing to remember when you’re vacuuming is to be aware of the beater bar. As much as possible, avoid using the beater bar since it can cause scratching (or damage) on your floor. If your vacuum cannot function without the beater bar, you can always use a microfiber mop to help sweep off the dusts.

Keep Your Floors Well-Coated

The top coating of your hardwood floor adds to its durability. Hardwood coatings are usually torn down in high foot traffic areas such as the stairs, living room, or any pivot point such as sinks. When these coatings come off, it makes your floor susceptible to penalization or separation of floor boards from another.Hardwood floors shouldn’t be left with torn down coatings for several days. If you find any uncoated part on your hardwood flooring, have it refurnished and sanded as soon as you can before the damage gets worse. You can hire professional sanding companies to do the job for you.

Use Hardwood Floor Cleaning Products

There are two types of hardwood products: the commercialized one and the home-made cleaning products. A lot of floor manufacturers would recommend good hardwood floor cleaning products but to be sure, do your research first. You may even be able to find out what products to use best from other homeowners with hardwood floors.You can also use natural hardwood cleaning product. All you need to do is to mix vinegar and a gallon of warm water and voila, you now have a mixture of home-made natural hardwood floor cleaner! If you decide to use this though, make sure to test it out on a small portion of your floor before applying it to the whole flooring.Investing on hardwood floors is definitely worth it. Keep these tips in mind and you can definitely be sure that your hardwood will look its best for years to come. Get in touch with Brisbane Timber Floors for more information on how to protect your hardwood floors.