Cleaning and Polishing Wood Floors
Softwood flooring
At The Floor Sanding Co. we understand that once your floor has been professionally maintained it is only natural that you should wish to keep it that way for as long as possible. Cleaning and polishing wood floors is one way to keep your wooden floor well-maintained. Here are some handy hints to help you do just that:
One of the most popular softwoods for flooring is natural pine. As its name suggests, softwood flooring has a softer feel than hardwood and is a clearly defined choice with knots and grooves clearly visible to give that sought-after rustic farmhouse look. Softwood flooring can be left unfinished or finished with a veneer of varnish or wax as required.
Cleaning your softwood floor
Begin by thoroughly sweeping the floor with a dust mop rather than a brush, which may scratch the surface of the wood over time. Mop the floor with the tried and tested homemade solution of a bucket of tepid water mixed with ½ a cup of white vinegar. This solution can be used on both finished and unfinished softwood flooring and is an excellent disinfectant and deodoriser.
Ensure your mop is well squeezed out to remove all residual water before mopping. Excess water on your softwood floor will, through time, damage the wood. Mop the floor carefully along the wood grain. Rather than leaving the floor to dry naturally run a dry mop across the floor to aid the drying process. You want your softwood floor to be damp for as little time as possible to reduce the chance of the boards expanding or cracking.
Polishing your softwood floor
Polishing your softwood floor can be done by hand using a mild wax polish, but for larger areas you will require a polish applicator. Once the wax has been applied then you can buff up, again either by hand or by using a buffing machine, to the depth of sheen required.
Hardwood flooring
Hardwood floors are robust and very easy to clean. Whatever type of wood and finishing you have, you can use a soft bristled brush or even a vacuum cleaner to remove dust before mopping. Clean and bright floors bring space and style to any room, so it is worth taking care of your hardwood floor on a regular basis.
Cleaning your hardwood floor
Before using a damp (never dripping wet) mop on the floor, always brush or vacuum the floor first. This is because those tiny particles of dust that you may hardly even see can cause scratches and scuff marks on the veneer of the flooring.
Make sure to use a PH neutral cleanser (mild washing up liquids are particularly good but check ingredients beforehand). Before cleaning your hardwood floor for the first time ensure that the top coat sealant has no gaps or cracks through which the cleaning solution can seep to cause the boards to warp over time.
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Polishing your hardwood floor
Hardwood flooring responds well to both wax and polish. Make sure your floor is completely dry before applying any finishing product. For large areas you may wish to use a buffer although for smaller areas (and if you want a good upper body workout!) you can polish by hand.
Should your hardwood floor become stained then, with the lightest of touches, apply the finest grade of steel wool to the stain. You can also use a tiny amount of clear alcohol to persistent stains. After stain removal always polish the floor to ‘feed’ the wood. If however you have stubborn stains it is always best to bring in The Floor Sanding Co to ensure your floor does not become damaged.How often your floor requires cleaning depends on the amount of use it receives. High traffic areas such as hallways and living rooms generally require cleaning on a weekly basis.
Ask the professionals
If you are unsure of any aspect of cleaning and polishing wood floors please check out the Floor Sanding Co website or call us FREE for a no cost professional assessment of your hard or softwood flooring.
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