Caring for Your Hardwood Floors

Hardwood floors make a great addition to any home remodel at Lake of the Ozarks.  Although they aren't soft like carpet, they require less maintenance, last longer and don't hide all the harmful matter that carpet does.  However, that means you can actually see this matter building up on your hardwood floors; so how do you keep them clean?  Check out these tips from Lowes.com to keep your hardwood floors scratch and dirt free!

Cleaning Your Hardwood Floors

Since hardwood floors are one of the largest investments in your home, avoiding permanent damage is important to protecting your investment. Cleaning your floors is the first step in protecting your hardwood floors and eliminate the expense of replacing them in the future. Routinely clean and maintain your floors to avoid dirt and scratches that will dull the finish.  To ensure your beautiful hardwood floors will last a lifetime, be sure to use products that are safe for your floor, family and the environment.  While kids, pets and environment are all key factors in the amount of dirt your hardwood floors attract, you should clean your floors as often as possible.  This frequent cleaning will keep dirt and dust off the floors and avoid scratching.  In addition, it will keep harmful pollutants such as dust and allergens out of the home.  

Polishing Your Hardwood Floors

Depending on the amount of traffic your hardwood floors get, you should polish them every two to four months.  Polish provides a protective layer and evens out your floors by filling in the micro-scratches.  Polishing your floors is a simple do-it-yourself task that starts with sweeping, vacuuming or dust-mopping your floor.  Make sure your floor is dry and then squirt the polish on, spreading it with an applicator.  Follow the coverage specifications and allow it to dry completely.  Don't walk on it for at least an hour and wait 24 hours before allowing heavy traffic on it.      

Steps to Protecting Your Hardwood Floors

1. Daily 

Dust: Dusting each day keeps dust and dirt off the floor therefore preventing scratching.  Daily dust-mopping will also significantly reduce allergens in your home.  Try using a microfiber material because of its static charge that attracts more dust and allergens.  The smaller fibers reach into the floor pores to lift dirt more effectively, extending the life of your floor.

2. Weekly

Clean: Did you know there is actually a wrong way to clean floors?  Too much liquid can damage your hardwood floors, while the wrong formula may not work at all.  When choosing a cleaning product, look for pH-neutral, nontoxic and biodegradable formulas to clean effectively and keep you safe.  Vinegar, for example, can eat away at the finish, even when diluted with water.

3. Quarterly

Polish: Every two months, use water-based polishes to restore luster and shine. These types of polishes won't leave a residue or emit harmful toxins.  Plus they'll prevent over cleaning and stripping of your floor.  Durable, urethane-based polishes have fast dry times, no waxy buildup and a protective wear layer to fill in micro-scratches and even out the appearance of your floor.    

Hardwood Floor Maintenance Tips

• Avoid using water and vinegar, soap-based cleaners, wax or steam cleaners on your hardwood floors.  Vinegar and water will dull your floors finish over time, while soap or wax will leave a residue.  Steam cleaners put hear and excessive water on your floor, which can lead to cupping and long-term damage.
• Use a natural, rubber rug underlayment with a waffle pattern in the entry ways or high traffic areas.  Use felt floor protectors on your furniture and avoid walking across your hardwood floors in high heels.  
• Frequently dry-dust your hardwood floor with a microfiber dusting pad.  The electrostatic action will attract dirt, which is the main cause of scratches, micro-particles and common household allergens.    
• Using the proper tools to clean your floor is important.  A mop paired with a machine-washable microfiber pad is perfect for dusting and cleaning.  Avoid string mops because they put excessive amounts of water on the floor, which can be damaging and actually push dirt around, instead of picking up and removing dirt. 
• Wipe up all spills immediately to avoid permanent stains. 
• Keep pet nails trimmed to avoid scratching on your floors. 
• Maintain a comfortable environment and temperature, especially no extremes in humidity.  

Keeping your hardwood floors looking beautiful and new should be easy if you follow these tips. If your hardwood floors at the Lake of the Ozarks are already dull and scratched up, consider having All-Star Home Renovations install some new ones for you.  Or do you not have any hardwood floors in your house? Consider adding some!  Whether you are looking to sell or just update your home for your own enjoyment, hardwood floors add value to your home, proving to be a sound investment.

Follow our blog for advice on remodels at the Lake of the Ozarks, minor home repairs and improvements, tips to improve the value of your home, and so much more.

All-Star Home Renovations serves the entire Lake of the Ozarks area. We can handle everything from your most complex home improvement and remodeling projects to the simplest.

All-Star Renovations has 25 years experience and is fully insured!

• Kitchen Remodels
• Bathroom Remodels
• Deck Additions
• Siding, Roofing, Windows & Doors
• Tile & Flooring Installation
• Screened Room Additions
• Custom Trim Finish Work
• ... and so much more!

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Serving the Entire Lake of the Ozarks Area

Adam : 573-286-2569
adam@all-star-renovations.com

Jay: 573-480-4757
jay@all-star-renovations.com

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