hardwood flooring care & maintenance
Caring and maintaining your hardwood floor is important for preserving its beauty. Like any floor covering, real wood floors will show signs of wear over time, depending on the size and lifestyle of your family. But by observing a few precautions, and using the cleaning and hardwood floor maintenance program recommended by the manufacturer, you can expect years of beauty from your wood floor.
Shop now to view/order our recommended cleaning products, mops and furniture protectors for hardwood floors. They are available online or in-store for purchase.
HARDWOOD flooring CARE
When caring for your hardwood floors, never clean or mop with water, never use any wax or cleaner that must be mixed with water such as oil, soap, or paste wax products; or use other household cleaners that contain lemon oil, tung oil, or ammonia as this may damage your floor and result in a loss of warranty. All chairs and furniture should have proper protection applied to the bottom to prevent damage to your hardwood floor.
Water can dull the finish and permanently damage the floor. To help eliminate fine particles of dirt and grit that act like sandpaper and will scratch any floor, vacuum or sweep daily. The vacuum head must be a felt or brush type. Be certain that the wheels of the vacuum are clean and do not damage the finish. DO NOT USE A VACUUM WITH A BEATER BAR HEAD.
HARDWOOD flooring MAINTENANCE
For hardwood floor maintenance, remove spills promptly using a soft cloth and cleaning products recommended by the manufacturer. Dalene Flooring recommends Bona Hardwood Cleaning products for most hardwood floors. Be sure to keep pet nails trimmed and paws clean and free of dirt, gravel, grease, oil, and stains.
Certain types of casters on furniture may damage wood flooring. Barrel-type wheels (a minimum 1" continuous width is recommended) or wide, flat glides are best for hardwood floor care and protection. Dalene Flooring recommends that all chairs and furniture have the proper protection applied to the bottom to prevent damage and reduce scratches and dents. Use a dolly and protective sheets of plywood when moving heavy objects, furniture or appliances. Some objects may be too heavy to move across a hardwood floor under any circumstances.
A humidifier is recommended to prevent excessive shrinkage of wood floors due to low humidity levels. Wood stoves and electric heat tend to cause very dry conditions. In damp conditions, proper humidity levels can be maintained with an air conditioner, dehumidifier, or by periodically turning on your heating system during periods of high humidity in the summer months.
Exposure to the sun and its UV rays accelerates the oxidation and aging of wood and fabrics. This causes the stain and/or wood to fade and/or change color. It is recommended that you rearrange rugs and furniture periodically so the floor ages evenly.
Remove shoes with spiked or damaged heels before walking on the floor. Spike or stiletto high-heel shoes may cause denting and related damage to wood floors due to the extremely high compressive force they generate. Such footwear can produce dynamic loads in excess of 1000 pounds per square inch, even when worn by someone of slight or average build.
As added protection, use dirt-trapping walk-off mats at all exterior doors to keep sand, dirt, grit, grease, and oil off your floor. By following these recommendations for hardwood care and maintenance, your floors will remain beautiful for a long time.
General Terms and Conditions may apply; refer to your specific product warranty for details.
