Hardwood flooring has been used in properties for centuries and even though there are several flooring options on the market now, it remains a popular choice amongst homeowners. Solid wood flooring is known for its natural beauty and impressive durability, and you won’t regret installing hardwood flooring throughout your home.
If you’re contemplating investing in oak wood flooring, understandably maintenance and cleaning is something you will need to think about. Generally speaking, this type of flooring is easy to keep looking its best, but there are some do’s and don’ts that all homeowners should be aware of when installing hardwood flooring. Below we have covered the basics you should know in regards to cleaning and maintenance.
DO vacuum your flooring
One of the best ways to remove dust, dirt and debris from your hardwood flooring is to use a vacuum, and it’s crucial to vacuum regularly as debris can scratch and damage your oak flooring. Whilst you can sweep your floors with a broom, this usually just pushes the dirt into the cracks and crevices of your flooring, and it’s more beneficial to suck the dirt up with a vacuum. Some vacuums are specifically designed for hardwood floors and it’s worth investing in a quality vacuum to make cleaning much easier.
DON’T mop with too much water
Using a mop after vacuuming is a great way to get your oak wood flooring sparkling clean, however, you need to make sure you don’t use too much water when mopping. Lots of water can cause damage to your flooring and it’s important to wring the mop out first. It’s useful to leave a window open when mopping too, this will help to speed up the drying process. An extra tip is to use a microfibre mop rather than a steam mop, this will help to ensure you’re not using too much water or cleaning products on your floors, causing damage.
DO clean up any spills straight away
Although hardwood floors are very durable and they can withstand lots of day-to-day wear and tear, you need to be careful when things are spilt on your floor. As mentioned above, water and other liquids can cause damage, so you should make sure you’re cleaning up things like spilt drinks straight away. You can simply wipe up any puddles of liquid with a paper towel or cloth and this will help to prevent water rings and staining too.
DON’T use abrasive shop-bought cleaners
There is such a huge range of floor cleaning products on the market and it can be difficult to know which are best to purchase. Ideally, you should try to avoid using abrasive cleaners on your oak wood flooring, not only will these leave residue but they can also cause damage to the surface of your floors. Always do some research before you buy cleaning products and make sure they are safe to use on real wood flooring. The Canadia floor cleaner is great for removing daily dirt and grime, and bringing back your floor’s natural shine.
DO re-sand your real wood flooring
One of the biggest benefits of installing hardwood flooring is that it will last for many years to come. If after a few years your floors are starting to look worse for wear, re-sanding them can help to restore them and bring them back to their original beauty. When you re-sand your oak wood flooring, you will simply be removing the top surface and any unsightly scuffs and stains. You can also re-oil and re-lacquer your floors which can make a huge difference to their appearance and this is always a worthwhile investment.
Installing oak wood flooring in your home
Hopefully, the information above will be useful if you’re considering installing oak wood flooring and it’s fair to say that general maintenance and cleaning isn’t something you need to worry about. If you would like to purchase hardwood flooring for your home, be sure to explore the vast range of flooring options we supply at Canadia.
We have a brilliant selection of oak wood flooring to choose from and we can help you to find the perfect solution that matches your style, requirements and budget. Every member of our team has extensive product knowledge and we will be happy to help you narrow down the flooring options we have available. You can purchase oak wood flooring from us in confidence knowing that our collections are machined with precision using the finest hardwoods too.