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Flooring

Care and feeding of hardwood floors

New finish technology has dramatically changed the way hardwood floors are maintained. Today’s urethane finishes make caring for wood floors much easier than in the past. These finishes resist wear and stains better than other finishes and require no stripping, buffing or waxing.

The majority of wood floors installed today have urethane finishes, allowing their use in kitchens and even bathrooms. Occasionally, wood flooring is finished with a penetrating seal, such as oil or wax, for a rustic appearance. If properly sealed, a wood floor will not sustain damage from small amounts of moisture.

Regular maintenance of wood floors is fairly simple. The flooring should be swept and vacuumed as needed, and spills should be wiped up immediately with a dry or slightly dampened towel.

For general cleaning, the manufacturer’s recommended procedures should be followed, if known. Otherwise, mist the floor with a mixture of one-quarter cup of white vinegar and one quart of warm water. Sponge mop and towel dry throughout the process. Standing water should not be allowed to remain on the floor.

You should never need to have urethane floors sanded or completely refinished if you take care of them properly. One of the biggest benefits of today’s urethane floors is that they can be rejuvenated with a new coat of urethane. The frequency of recoating depends on the amount of traffic.

A urethane floor should never be waxed. An unfinished floor can be waxed or oiled for a satin or matte finish, but these penetrating seals require regular reapplication.

Types of urethane differ in sheen (satin to high gloss), drying time, odor, ease of application and color. Ask a professional to recommend which finish is best for your floors.

With any type of hardwood floor, the following steps should be taken to maintain beauty and durability:

1. Sweep the floor at least once a week with a soft bristle broom or vacuum to remove surface dust and dirt.

2. Never wet mop floors due to the damage and discoloration that standing water can cause. Wipe up all spills immediately with a dry or slightly dampened towel.

3. Place doormats at all entrances to capture harmful dirt. Place area rugs in places where water is likely to fall—in front of the kitchen sink, for example.

4. Never wax a wood floor with a urethane finish.

5. Buff waxed floors to restore shine, but avoid over-waxing. Light-traffic areas, such as underneath furniture, should be waxed every other cleaning.

6. Place floor protector pads, soft felt or some other protective material on the bottoms of furniture legs or fixture contact points. Floor protectors should be cleaned and replaced periodically.

7. When moving heavy furniture, protect floors by slipping a piece of cloth under the legs.

Proper maintenance of wood flooring is essential to preserving its attractive appearance. New technology and innovative products have made wood one of the most easy-care flooring materials today.

Courtesy the National Wood Flooring Association, nwfa.org.

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