CARE AND MAINTENANCE FOR HARDWOOD FLOORING
CARE AND CLEANING: Hardwood Floor is easy to clean and maintain. We recommend that you regularly sweep, dry-mop and vacuum your floor with a soft brush attachment to avoid the accumulation of grit and dust on the surface.
HUMIDITY: As wood is a natural fibre, changes in the level of humidity of the room, in which you have installed your hardwood floor, will cause it to shrink or expand. The humidity level must be kept at a normalized level (between 35% and 55%). This can be easily accomplished through the use of an appropriate ventilation and humidification system or dehumidification system. Most regions of Canada will need a humidifier in the winter months.
SUNLIGHT: The colour of your hardwood floor will mature with time and exposure to sunlight. This will cause it to change colour. Any area rug, which blocks out light, should therefore be shifted on a regular basis to keep the colour of your floor more uniform.
LIQUIDS AND SPILLS: All liquids and spills should be wiped off as soon as possible in order to prevent any possible damage. Ensure that a dry paper towel or terrycloth is used after clean up to ensure no liquid remains. You may consider using area rugs to protect susceptible areas (around kitchen sink, at exterior entrances etc.) If a spill occurs, please remember to check under the mat to ensure that no water is trapped and that there is no moisture touching the floor. Do not wet mop your floor. Standing water can harm or warp your floor.
PROTECTION: Abrasive dirt such as sand, street dirt and cat litter can damage any hardwood floor regardless of the strength of the finish. Regularly sweep and vacuum with a soft brush attachment do not use a vacuum with a beater bar as found in most upright models. In addition, you can help protect your floor by using entrance mats and area rugs in high-risk areas such at entrances and doorways. When cleaning, remember to clean under the edges of rugs as it is a common place for trapped debris. Shake mats regularly to ensure no trapped debris. For rug pads choose 100% non-solvent based rubber, an untreated natural fibre such as wool or jute, or 1/4” chopped urethane. Do not use sticky or tacky backers. The plasticizers they use can attack and discolour finish. These same plasticizers may also be present in the backers of some rugs. In kitchens, use area rugs in high spill locations and at work stations. Cotton is generally the best fabric since it easily washed, do not use rug backers in a kitchen area. Check all items that come in contact with the floor. Not only should felt pads be placed under the legs of the furniture standing on your floor but the felt pads should be cleaned regularly and checked for wear every 6 months in order to reduce the risk of damaging your floor. Wearing high heels should be avoided on your hardwood floor. The tremendous pressure exerted by the tip can dent and scratch the surface. Moving furniture across a floor can scratch and damage the flooring. If you must move heavy pieces of furniture (refrigerator, piano, love seat, etc.) never slide them directly on the flooring. Instead, place a piece of carpet face down between the furniture legs and the flooring and pull on the carpet to move the furniture. By doing so, you will prevent damage to your flooring. Chairs with rollers should have wide rollers installed and a protective pad placed beneath large enough to cover the area on which it will be used. The area covered by the pad must be cleaned on a regular basis. Children’s toys should be checked as a source for dents and scratches. Pets with sharp nails can certainly cause scratches as well as a source of water spots on floors. Please keep their nails trimmed.
CHOICE OF CLEANERS AND APPLICATORS: Although many hardwood flooring cleaners are advertised as suitable for prefinished flooring the results can be extremely damaging to the finish or leave your flooring looking hazy. An easy way to test you cleaner is to try it on a mirror or glass to see if a residue is left.
Care and Maintenance For Hardwood Flooring Issues With Some Cleaners:
- Ammonia: Is too harsh and can discolour wood.
- Vinegar: Is an acid that can etch the finish and create dulling.
- Liquid polishes: Have a wax type material which shines and leaves a contaminating film on the floor.
- Household dust treatments: Leave a slick and waxy residue.
- Household cleaners: Have strong detergents and may harm the finish and leave a residue or contaminating film behind.
- Any product that instructions say mop and bucket: Introduce water to the flooring which can be catastrophic to the flooring.
- Steam cleaners: This is currently the most damaging product on the market to clean your flooring with. The introduction of heat and steam can not only crack flooring, but the introduction of water is very damaging to the finish.
- A product with a combination reservoir spray and mop: Introduces liquid directly to the flooring and can remain in the microbevel and cause damage if the spray is not fine enough.
General-Maintenance-Guide-2024-03-11.pdf
Care and Maintenance For Hardwood Flooring in Petun Flooring Website: CARE AND MAINTENANCE FOR HARDWOOD FLOORING – Flooring Store in Kitchener Waterloo Region | Petun Flooring Petun
