Caring for Timber Flooring

Making the decision to add timber flooring to your home is an investment.  Though not an inexpensive choice, hard wood floors add real value to your home.  Homes with hardwood floors are sought after by home buyers.  If the resale value of your home isn’t a consideration, the beauty and versatility of timber flooring definitely is.  With the addition or removal of stain, hard wood floors can change from light to dark and every shade in between.  With a little bit of know-how you can keep your floors looking beautiful for years to come. 

Preventative Measures

There are a number of things you can do a regular basis that will keep your wood floors looking lustrous.

Keep Dirt and Grit Off of the Floor

Dirt and grit left on your timber floor can cause excess scratches and damage.  Place dirt-trapping mats at every door that leads to the outside.  This helps to keep dirt and grit off of the floor.  Consider using rugs and runners in your home’s high traffic areas to keep the nicks and scratches caused by residue to a minimum.

Use Protective Furniture Pads

Place protective pads on the feet of your furniture.  This will greatly reduce burn marks associated with heavy furniture scraping across wood floors.  If you are moving or rearranging furniture, always place a sheet or towel under the feet if the item is too large to be lifted.  Also, be careful of castors.  Though they make furniture easy to roll, they can cause deep scratches to timber flooring.  It is best to not even use these on wood floors.  Pick up the piece of furniture or place a protective covering over the castor. 

Rotate Rugs and Carpets

Exposure to sunlight speeds up the color change that is inevitable with hardwood floors.  Make sure to move rugs and carpets periodically so that you don’t end up with a multicolor wood floor.  In areas that receive a great deal of sunlight, use blinds or opaque curtains to reduce the amount of light that makes it to the floor.

Keep Pet Nails Short and Blunt

Over time, pets can add a significant amount of scratches to timber flooring.  Make sure to keep your pet’s nails short and do your best to keep them blunt.  A short, sharp nail can do quite a bit of damage.

Cleaning Your Timber Floors

Following a couple simple tips will ensure that your floors stay clean and don’t get damaged by harsh chemicals.

Keep Your Floors Clean

An electrostatic mop is great for cleaning timber floors.  If you have door mats, make sure to clean them regularly.  If not, excess dirt will build up and make its way onto your floors.  For high traffic areas and stubborn stains, use a damp mop that has been wrung out very well.

Only Use pH Neutral Cleaners

Never clean your floor with any of the cleaners you would use on tile or laminate flooring.  Never use steel wood on the floors either.  These products are all too harsh and abrasive to use on your wood floors.  Use a pH neutral cleaner, according to manufacturer’s instructions, if you have to use a cleaner at all.

Following these tips will keep your timber floor in tip-top shape!