Wood floors, properly finished, are the easiest of all floor surfaces to keep clean and new looking unlike carpeted or resilient floors that show wear regardless of care. Wood floors can be kept looking like new, year after year, with minimum care.
Preventative Maintenance
Keep grit off the floor. Use dirt-trapping, walk-off mats at all exterior doors to help prevent dirt, grit and sand from getting inside the building.
In kitchens, use area rugs at high spill locations and at work stations-stove, sink, refrigerator.
Finishes and certain chemicals in wood oxidize and are affected by ultra violet light sources causing the wood and finish to change color and develop a patina or age. To avoid uneven appearance, move area rugs occasionally and drape or shade large windows.
Put fabric glides on the legs of your furniture; they allow furniture to be moved easily without scuffing the floor.
Vacuum regularly, as often as you vacuum carpets . Sweep or use a dust mop daily or as needed, but do not use a household dust treatment as this may cause your floor to become slick, dull the finish, or interfere with re-coating.
Wipe up food and other spills promptly with a dry cloth or paper towel. Use a slightly moistened cloth for sticky spills.
Keep heels on shoes in good repair, especially high heels.
Preventing or Removing Stains
1. Many stains can be prevented by simply wiping up the spilled liquid immediately.
2.
When removing a stain, always begin at the outer edge and work toward the
middle to prevent it from spreading.
3. You may remove a superficial dried material with a sharpened blade. Be careful not to scratch the finish. Rub spot with damp cloth. Rub dry.
4. Stains and spots caused by standing water: . For surface finishes- use recommenced cleaner and buff vigorously with clean towel.
5. Heel marks, caster marks, etc: For surface finishes--Use cleaner to wipe off mark. Some marks may be carefully scraped up with a sharpened blade.
6. Animal and diaper stains: Spots that are not too old may sometimes be removed in the same manner as other dark spots. If spots resist cleaning efforts replace affected strips, sand and finish.
7. Mold or mildew: A surface condition caused by damp, stagnant air. After seeing that proper ventilation is provided for the room. For surface finishes--If mold is on the surface, wipe up with appropriate cleaner. If mold is under the finish, refinishing is necessary.
8. Chewing gum, crayon, candle wax: Scrape the major residue with a razor blade. Apply ice until the deposit is brittle enough to crumble off. Cleaning fluid poured around the area (not on it) can seep under the deposit and loosen it.
9. Cigarette burns: For surface finishes--Scraping the affected area only with a sharpened blade. Apply a dab of finish where the finish has been scraped away.
10. Alcohol spot: For surface finishes-Generally not affected.
11. Oil and grease stains: For surface finishes-Wipe up with mineral spirits or TSP (tri sodium phosphate). Buff with clean pad or towel.
For further information or information about waxed floors please visit The Wood Flooring Manufactures' Associations web site at www.nofma.org
Information courtesy of NOFMA The wood flooring manufacturer's association. for further information visit The Wood Flooring Manufactures' web site at www.nofma.org or contact Monticello Flooring at info@monticelloflooring.com