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Hardwood floors are a lifetime investment so it makes sense to take a little time to keep that investment clean and shiny. You should not neglect to do the small things to insure that your floors, whether solid wood or laminate are scratch and stain-free.
A new floor doesn't require a great deal of maintenance but you should check your floors periodically, especially in well-worn traffic areas such as the kitchen, dining and living areas.
--Dirt and sand can scratch. Prevent those scratches by placing a mat or area rugs at all entrance ways.
--Use a broom with fine bristles to pick up dust and dirt. Never use ammonia to clean floors.
--Vacuum regularly. Use the special bare floor attachment that comes with the vacuum. --Dust or damp mop your floors. Use a neutral PH wood cleaner.
--While wood flooring are varnished and stained, you should mop up any water or chemical liquids that are spilled on the floor immediately. They can damage the finish and warp a hardwood floor.
--Never use harsh, abrasive cleaners or oil based soaps.
--Add felt pads to the bottom of your furniture that can scratch your floor.
--The areas near your living room picture window can get discolored by the UV rays of the sun. To prevent this, close your curtains and blinds. Add some sheer drapes.
--High heeled shoes can gouge and scratch. Keep them in good repair or change your shoes on coming into the house.
--Your pets can scratch your floor. Keep their nails trimmed. Clean their paws as they come in from outdoors. Groom and wash to rid them of pests.
Of course if your floors have become worn and old-looking, you'll need to take more drastic measures to restore the luster of a new floor. Unless you are experienced in flooring, do-it-yourself is generally not a good idea. It takes a professional eye to determine if your finish is worn down but the wood is intact. You may not see the gouges, stains, cracks and warping that may require replacement and repair before any polyurethane, floor polish or wax can be applied. You also need to know what type of finish your floor has before you decide to add an extra coat.
Nearly all floors installed today have surface finishes, mostly polyurethane. They look like a layer of clear plastic over the wood. Surface finishes form a protective layer that keeps the floor from harm and resists scratches.
You can find out if your finish is worn down by adding one to two tablespoons of water to a low to medium traffic area. If the water soaks in and leaves a dark spot, your floor needs a new coat. Waxing is one of the easiest ways to use to finish your floors, but you may have to remove an old coat before applying a new coat.
If you do have a waxed floor, you can remove stains and burns that are not too deep by rubbing the spot with a No. 2 steel wood moistened with soap and water. Rewax the spot after you're finished.
With proper care your floors will look as good as when you bought or built your home, increase its value and add to the enjoyment of living.
Biodegradable cleaners are far better than most commercial cleaners on the market that can add to the toxic environment of the home. For the best in floor and all around cleaning try thes products that have helped the author in his home: http://www.ezinfocenter.com/71130?vcl
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