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Hardwood floors make almost every home beautiful. These floors have specific cleaning and maintenance routines that keep them looking their very best. Hardwood flooring is different from other flooring types like laminate, tile, or vinyl and requires different care. Before we show you how to take care of your hardwood floors, let’s discuss the types of hardwood flooring.
There are two primary types of structural hardwood flooring: solid hardwood flooring and engineered hardwood flooring.
Another option for solid hardwood flooring is prefinished planks, which come in a wide variety of wood types and finishes. However, they cost more for the convenience of having the finishing already applied.
Engineered hardwood flooring is made from a plywood base with a sturdy hardwood layer on top. The plywood base of the plank is made from seven to ten sheets of wood glued together, the hardwood top layer is usually only one-sixteenth of an inch (1/16”) thick, meaning it can only be sanded and refinished once or twice. There are higher grade engineered hardwood planks available, for which the hardwood top layer is 3/32” to one-eighth of an inch (⅛”) thick. These can be resanded and refinished three or four times.
Engineered flooring is more stable, and therefore a better choice in climates that are humid, or which go through many temperature fluctuations.
There is also another more niche variety of hardwood flooring, called hand scraped hardwood flooring, This type of flooring is available in solid or engineered, unfinished or prefinished. As the name implies, the planks are scraped by hand to make it look like a rustic, weathered, time-worn floor. The biggest downside with this type of flooring is you cannot resand the planks without losing the hand-etched detailing.
There are also different types of finishes for hardwood floors, if you have pretreated planks, or if the contractor adds finish to the hardwood on-site. These are the three main types of hardwood finishes:
Surface-sealed hardwood floors are resistant to stains and water damage. These are sealed with urethan, polyurethane, or polyacrylic.
Penetrating-seal-treated hardwood floors use traditional oil-based finishes that soak into the wood and harden to form a protective seal. These are more susceptible to damage from water and must be cleaned with more care.
Lacquered or varnished hardwood floors are usually found in older homes. These must be cleaned very gently as these finishes are less durable than modern finishes.
Hardwood floors are easy to maintain, simply remember to never use water to clean hardwood floors, it can cause the planks to warp, shift, and lose their luster. Also stay away from harsh chemicals, abrasive cleaners, or scratch pads.
Sunlight is also detrimental to your hardwood floors. The heat from direct sunlight can damage and warp the wood. Using blinds or curtains on windows and patio doors can help diffuse sunlight.
Moving furniture must also be done carefully, to avoid scuffing the finish. Never drag furniture across your hardwood floor! For heavy furniture items like couches or recliners, use felt gliders under the legs if you need to move the furniture around the room. This will prevent scratching and damage to the floor.
To prevent scuffing from everyday traffic, use throw rugs to prevent damage to the hardwood finish from dropped items, spills, scuffs, and foot traffic. If you wear heavy boots or shoes, take them off when entering the home to prevent damage from scuffs and scratches.
There is a simple routine to cleaning your hardwood floors, it’s easy to remember.
You’ll need some essential supplies for cleaning:
Conventional wet mops or steam mops will warp the wood. Avoid all abrasive cleaners or anything that is made strictly for tile and laminate. Also, avoid using white vinegar, that can damage the finish.
Every day, you should sweep up the dust, dirt, and debris from your floor, so it doesn’t scratch the hardwood. A soft bristle broom or microfiber mop is best. Microfiber creates static electricity which traps dust, allergens, and dirt particles, removing them from the flooring. Sweeping your floors daily might seem like overkill, but it will make a big difference in preserving the beauty of your hardwood floor. If you are completely without a microfiber mop or soft bristle broom, you can also use an upright vacuum with a “bare floor” setting, but be extra cautious that its wheels don’t damage your hardwood floor.
Once a month, you should mop, using an oil based floor cleaner, like Murphy’s OIl Soap, and distilled water to dilute the cleaner. Use a well wrung microfiber mop, just barely damp, no mop water should be dripping off the mop. When you mop, move along the grain of the wood, not against it. Go with the natural lines in the wood — this will help prevent streaks and give you a more effective cleaning. If you want to dry the floor (optional), you can use a microfiber towel. Mopping with an oil-based cleaner will help preserve the finish of your hardwood floor.
If your household is busier, for example if you have a big family, kids, or pets, you may choose to deep clean every three to six months instead of every six to twelve months. You’ll want to determine what type of finish you have on your floor, if you don’t already know. If you’re unsure, find a floorboard that is far away from foot traffic. Drizzle a very small amount of water on the plank, and if the water pools, you have a newer finish, if it soaks in, you have an older penetrating finish. (Note: Older homes such as the Fabulous 40s in East Sacramento or Victorians in Midtown are likely to have the older penetrating finish if they haven’t been remodeled.)
Use an appropriate oil-based cleaner that matches your finish type with a soft bristle broom or microfiber mop or towel to remove grime that is more deeply embedded. Clean in the direction of the wood grain, clean in between the planks.
Never, ever use abrasive cleaners, steel wool, or scratch pad sponges to deep clean your hardwood floor. These can all cause scratching and damage your floor. Don’t use water based cleaners or excessive water, because this can cause warping. Watch out for standing water, as this can cause discoloration in the finish.
If you have wet spills, clean them up immediately using a soft, barely damp cloth, or a hardwood cleaner. Dry the cleaned area with a dry cloth and absorb all moisture. This will prevent any water soaking into the wood, which can cause it to warp. Never use harsh chemical cleaners, which will damage the finish and the underlying wood.
When removing stains from hardwood floors, stay away from acidic solutions like lemon juice or white vinegar. You should wipe them up quickly with a soft microfiber cloth dabbed with some wood cleaner. Gently rub the stain until it disappears. For heel scuffs or show scuffs, gently use a pencil eraser until the scuff is lifted.
Occasionally, your hardwood floor might get scratched. For light scratches, use a color marker or matching wood stain to fill in the area carefully. For deeper scratches, you can use wood filler and a matching color pen to fill in the scratches. For the most severe scratches, you will have to sand the area using fine sandpaper and re-seal the area with wood finish, blending the area into the surrounding floor.
Here are some additional tips for preserving the original beauty and luster of your hardwood floor.
Maintaining your luxurious hardwood floors is important, to ensure they stay beautiful for years to come. Regular cleaning routines, adding protective finish, and cleaning up spills and buffing scratches quickly will help keep your hardwood floors in top condition. Following this checklist will keep your home’s wood flooring looking spectacular.
When you’re ready to install premium hardwood flooring in your home, you can rely on the team at JC Construction & Remodeling to do the job right. We’ve helped hundreds of Northern California homeowners with flooring, kitchen remodeling, bathroom renovations, home additions, ADUs, and home remodeling. For a free consultation, contact us today and we’ll help you upgrade and renovate your home!
JC Construction & Remodeling is more than just a construction company; we are your dedicated partners in transforming your vision into reality. With over a decade of industry experience, our locally owned and operated business has honed its craft, delivering exceptional home improvement solutions to our valued clients. Integrity and honesty are the cornerstones of our approach, guiding every interaction and decision we make. We understand that each project is unique.
Whether you’re looking to renovate your entire home or simply need a few repairs, our team is equipped with the expertise and resources to exceed your expectations. At JC Construction & Remodeling, quality is not just a goal; it’s a standard we uphold in every aspect of our work. Specializing in general home improvement and remodeling, we take immense pride in the craftsmanship and attention to detail that defines our projects.
