Top Shelf Construction
Hardwood Floor Care - General Do's and Don'ts
Here are some general do's and don'ts to help keep your hardwood floor looking like new:
Hardwood Floor Care - General Do's and Don'ts
Here are some general do's and don'ts to help keep your hardwood floor looking like new:
After your Hardwood Floors have been Finished with our Water-Bourne Polyurethane (the most durable on the market) please allow at least ten days before placing any permanent rugs down. Also allow the same ten days before doing any mopping of any type.
After 24 hours your floors will be 90% cured and over the next 9 days it will fully cure. Please use floor carefully during this time knowing that although you will be able to walk on floors, replace light furniture items, replace shoe moulding, paint and etc., it is slightly more vulnerable to scratches and scuffs.
Enemy Number 1: Water
Regardless of its finish your floor will quickly lose its luster if exposed to water. More serious damage is also possible, including warping and other problems.
DO: Wipe up any spills immediately with a soft, dry cloth, starting at the edges of the spill and working your way toward the center.
DON'T: Let water stand on your floor, or use wet cloths for clean up.
DON'T: Do not mop floors with any products containing wax or oils. Do not soak floors when mopping, use a spray bottle filled with an approved cleaner for Hardwood floors such as Bona X Hardwood Floor Cleaner. A quart of water plus one tablespoon white vinegar will also work.
Banish Dirt, Dust and Grit
Dirt, dust and grit can also damage your hardwood floor. Tracking dirt, dust, and grit can dull its finish and cause scratches that can only be repaired by refinishing the floor.
DO: Sweep your floors regularly. Invest in a good broom that features exploded tips to trap dust and dirt, not simply spread it around. Dust mops can also be helpful in keeping dirt, dust, and grit under control.
DO: Vacuum frequently, using a canister vacuum with special hardwood floor attachments.
DON'T: Use an upright vacuum with beater bars. They can cause dents in your floor's finish.
DON'T: Use any dust treatment (ie. pledge) unless it is approved by your floor's manufacturer. The wrong treatment can make your floor dull and cause problems the next time you refinish.
DO: Use doormats at the entrances of your home to help trap dirt and grit. Clean them regularly.
Dirt, dust and grit can also damage your hardwood floor. Tracking dirt, dust, and grit can dull its finish and cause scratches that can only be repaired by refinishing the floor.
DO: Sweep your floors regularly. Invest in a good broom that features exploded tips to trap dust and dirt, not simply spread it around. Dust mops can also be helpful in keeping dirt, dust, and grit under control.
DO: Vacuum frequently, using a canister vacuum with special hardwood floor attachments.
DON'T: Use an upright vacuum with beater bars. They can cause dents in your floor's finish.
DON'T: Use any dust treatment (ie. pledge) unless it is approved by your floor's manufacturer. The wrong treatment can make your floor dull and cause problems the next time you refinish.
DO: Use doormats at the entrances of your home to help trap dirt and grit. Clean them regularly.
Area Rugs
DO: Use area rugs or small sections of carpet placed inside doorways and in areas like kitchens where spills are likely to occur.
DON'T: Use throw rugs with rubber or vinyl backing without checking to determine if they will affect your floor's finish. Most are ok with our Water-bourne finishes. Some materials in the backing can react with certain floor finishes, discoloring or causing the finish to become dull.
DON'T: Let even damp throw or scatter rugs sit on the floor. Check the rugs frequently and make sure damp rugs are removed.
DO: Move your area carpets or throw rugs occasionally to maintain a uniform appearance in the floor's finish.
DO: Use area rugs or small sections of carpet placed inside doorways and in areas like kitchens where spills are likely to occur.
DON'T: Use throw rugs with rubber or vinyl backing without checking to determine if they will affect your floor's finish. Most are ok with our Water-bourne finishes. Some materials in the backing can react with certain floor finishes, discoloring or causing the finish to become dull.
DON'T: Let even damp throw or scatter rugs sit on the floor. Check the rugs frequently and make sure damp rugs are removed.
DO: Move your area carpets or throw rugs occasionally to maintain a uniform appearance in the floor's finish.
Sunlight
The ultraviolet radiation in sunlight can cause discoloration over time.
The ultraviolet rays that can burn and age our skin will affect any organic material, including wood. Prolonged exposure to sunlight will change the color of virtually any wood floor, regardless of the stain or finish. Some woods lighten when exposed to sunlight. Others, like cherry and oak, tend to darken. The newest water-based urethane finishes seem to slow color changes more effectively than oil-based urethane finishes, which tend to turn the brownish-yellow color of amber. Some finishes feature sunscreens to help block the penetration of ultraviolet rays, extending the time it will take the wood to change. Our products have very good uv protection and will not Yellow over time.
If color change from sunlight is not desired then:
DO: Protect your floors by using sheer drapes, curtains, or blinds to limit sunlight.
The ultraviolet radiation in sunlight can cause discoloration over time.
The ultraviolet rays that can burn and age our skin will affect any organic material, including wood. Prolonged exposure to sunlight will change the color of virtually any wood floor, regardless of the stain or finish. Some woods lighten when exposed to sunlight. Others, like cherry and oak, tend to darken. The newest water-based urethane finishes seem to slow color changes more effectively than oil-based urethane finishes, which tend to turn the brownish-yellow color of amber. Some finishes feature sunscreens to help block the penetration of ultraviolet rays, extending the time it will take the wood to change. Our products have very good uv protection and will not Yellow over time.
If color change from sunlight is not desired then:
DO: Protect your floors by using sheer drapes, curtains, or blinds to limit sunlight.
Furniture
DO: Place glides made of felt or some other fabric under the legs of furniture to prevent scratches. Clean the glides regularly to ensure that dust and grit do not become imbedded.
DO: Use barrel-type casters instead of ball casters to prevent dents.
DO: Use non-marking rubber casters instead of plastic or metal.
DO: Lift furniture when moving it to avoid scratches in the floor's surface.
Shoes
DO: Make sure there are no exposed nails or metal heel supports on shoes that could scratch or dent the floor.
DO: Check shoes with soles that have deep treads to ensure that any trapped dirt or gravel won't scratch or dent the floor.
DO: Be aware that high heels can dent a hardwood floor.
Weather and Climate
When installing a hardwood floor moisture and temperature of the upmost importance. A moisture level of about 6% -9% in the wood and a corresponding moisture level in the sub-floor is desired. Then installation should occur in average household temperatures, generally between 68 – 70 degrees F. After the floor is installed and finished a certain attention to moisture and humidity can drastically reduce the amount of expansion and shrinkage that will occur. This Contraction and Expansion can cause either gaps between the boards or Cupping and buckling in the boards, respectively. By heating the house in winter we are taking much of the humidity out of the air and floors will dry and shrink slightly. This can be combated by using an air humidifier. Conversely, in the summertime running the air conditioner can remove much of the humidity that makes for an uncomfortable house and can cause your floors to expand. Your floors have been installed with an expansion gap around all the edges so cupping and buckling should only occur under extreme circumstances. After your floors are installed and finished temperature should be set at a level that is comfortable to you. Drastic changes in temperature should be avoided as is possible but normal fluctuations should not affect your floor.
DO: Place glides made of felt or some other fabric under the legs of furniture to prevent scratches. Clean the glides regularly to ensure that dust and grit do not become imbedded.
DO: Use barrel-type casters instead of ball casters to prevent dents.
DO: Use non-marking rubber casters instead of plastic or metal.
DO: Lift furniture when moving it to avoid scratches in the floor's surface.
Shoes
DO: Make sure there are no exposed nails or metal heel supports on shoes that could scratch or dent the floor.
DO: Check shoes with soles that have deep treads to ensure that any trapped dirt or gravel won't scratch or dent the floor.
DO: Be aware that high heels can dent a hardwood floor.
Weather and Climate
When installing a hardwood floor moisture and temperature of the upmost importance. A moisture level of about 6% -9% in the wood and a corresponding moisture level in the sub-floor is desired. Then installation should occur in average household temperatures, generally between 68 – 70 degrees F. After the floor is installed and finished a certain attention to moisture and humidity can drastically reduce the amount of expansion and shrinkage that will occur. This Contraction and Expansion can cause either gaps between the boards or Cupping and buckling in the boards, respectively. By heating the house in winter we are taking much of the humidity out of the air and floors will dry and shrink slightly. This can be combated by using an air humidifier. Conversely, in the summertime running the air conditioner can remove much of the humidity that makes for an uncomfortable house and can cause your floors to expand. Your floors have been installed with an expansion gap around all the edges so cupping and buckling should only occur under extreme circumstances. After your floors are installed and finished temperature should be set at a level that is comfortable to you. Drastic changes in temperature should be avoided as is possible but normal fluctuations should not affect your floor.
