How to Clean Your Floor like a Pro – Hardwood

Hardwood flooring has risen in popularity recently and it’s not such a surprising trend. There are numerous advantages to having hardwood floor in some parts of your home, one of which is that it is much easier to clean that other flooring options such as carpeting or tile. Hardwood is also generally more resistant to dirt, especially allergens, which are notorious for getting caught in carpets and causing trouble for families and guests with allergies. This being said however, hardwood flooring still requires a skillful level of cleaning and maintenance to have it looking fresh for a long time to come. A lot of the workload involved with cleaning hardwood flooring lies mostly in maintaining it rather than treating it to a deep clean. This makes it a little easier on the homeowner, however, it can be a regular chore, albeit not a difficult one. Vacuuming is the easiest way to clear off all of the surface level dust and dirt that naturally accumulates on flooring. Since this is where most of the dirt resides on hardwood, it’s effective and probably a part of your cleaning routine anyways. For stains that do seem to be more stubborn however, a wax floor cleaner is the best option. Hardwood is susceptible to water damage, so even water used while cleaning can have an adverse effect on this type of flooring. Just be sure to follow all of the precautions and usage instructions on the containers for maximum effect and safety. The finishing on hardwood is what really protects it from the elements and damage, so it is something important to maintain. Overall, you want to put as little pressure to areas that have heavy foot traffic, such as doorways, so covering them with a small area rug isn’t a bad idea. Longer doormats in front of entrance ways are also a good idea because they can catch a lot of the standard dirt and mud that tends to trail in from outside. Substances such as nail polish and hairspray will, over time, corrode hardwood finish, so try to avoid using these products in areas of your home that have hardwood flooring. There are some substances you find in a home improvement store that can help maintain the finish of hardwood flooring, however, it is recommended to renovate and redo those floors at least every ten years or so. This is also because of hardwood’s natural shift and inevitable moisture that does seep in, especially in humid climates like Tampa’s. This has given hardwood flooring somewhat of a reputation for having higher maintenance costs, however the property value increase, as well as the natural, clean look that this type of flooring provides is well worth the investment. If you don’t have hardwood flooring and are considering adding it to your home, it is recommended for these reasons. It’s best to be aware of effective cleaning procedures however before you make the switch and acknowledge that hardwood is not suited for every room in the home. Bathrooms for example are inefficient places to have hardwood flooring because there is too much steam and moisture in the air and water tends to soak into the floors more frequently. Laundry rooms have the same concept pertain to them. The kitchen is probably the best and most popular place for hardwood flooring because they are usually aired out enough for the moisture to not make a difference. Additionally, cleaning supplies and tools and usually more readily available to sweep up any obvious stains or dirt that fall onto the floor. This is one of the biggest appeals of hardwood flooring because it is so easy to wipe away a wine or juice stain and the odors don’t linger like they do for carpeting. Whether you already have hardwood flooring in a room or are thinking of switching over to them, it is a good idea to know about the cleaning measures necessary to maintain them. With the proper care, this type of flooring is among the most beautiful and effective types available. Remember too however that their natural shift will require a replacement eventually, but this is only about once a decade. When that time comes, or if you feel your flooring needs a deep clean sooner, Naffco Flooring and Interiors is here to help in any way we can. For more information about how we can clean or help install your hardwood flooring, please call the South Tampa office at (813) 254-4066, the Carrollwood office at (813) 961-1362, or the Brandon office at (813) 413-8313.