A home feels incomplete without the classy touch of hardwood floors. To retain their functionality and natural shine, especially in coastal areas like Laguna Niguel, proper maintenance is crucial. Discover essential tips for hardwood flooring maintenance in Laguna Niguel. Prevent scratches, manage humidity, and preserve natural shine. Here are some key ways to keep your hardwood floors looking as good as new for years to come.
1. Regular Cleaning: Hardwood Flooring Maintenance
Shoes with heels and leather soles can leave marks and scratches on hardwood floors, as well as soil them. To maintain your wooden floors, sweep or vacuum at least once a day using a soft broom or a vacuum with a hardwood floor attachment. Avoid vacuums with beater bars, as they can scratch the surface. For deeper cleaning, use a damp (not wet) mop and a pH-neutral hardwood floor cleaner.
2. Control Indoor Climate
Seasonal changes in Laguna Niguel affect indoor humidity levels, impacting hardwood flooring. To prevent this, maintain indoor humidity between 30-50%. Use a humidifier in colder months when the air is dry and a dehumidifier in warmer months when humidity is higher.
3. Shield from Furnitures and Feet
Arrange to place soft felt pads on the bottom of furniture to prevent floor scratching. In high-traffic areas, use floor mats or rugs and clean them regularly to remove accumulated dirt. Avoid walking on hardwood floors with heels or cleats, as they can cause significant damage.
4. Immediate Spill Management
Accidents can either cause the hardwood floors to bend or develop stains on them if the mess is not cleaned immediately. Juice spills should be wiped up immediately with a clean dry or slightly moist cloth. Do not use large amounts of water to clean the valuable wood or use strong chemicals, as they can harm the finish.
5. Regular Refinishing
Finally even noble standard hardwood floors are becoming scratched and defected over the time. Therefore, depending on the amount of traffic that your floors receive, you need to refinish them, within a period of 7 to 10 years. This is done with sanding of the surface and subsequent applying of a new layer of finish on the wooden surface to regain its previous shine and preservation against wear.
6. Sunlight Protection: Hardwood Flooring Maintenance
One major risk factor that influences hardwood floor installation is direct sunlight, which can cause fading and discoloration. To prevent this, consider adding curtains, blinds, or UV-protective window films when renovating your home. These measures will protect your floors from harmful rays. Additionally, periodically repositioning furniture and rugs can help reduce uneven fading, ensuring your hardwood floors maintain their beauty over time.