Regular dusting will keep your leaf wall sculptures and other metal wall hangings looking great. And you might be surprised to know that taking care of hardwood floors is almost as easy. In most cases, a simple dust mop is all you’ll need to keep your hardwood floors looking great. Dust mop floors once a week in low traffic areas, more often in high traffic areas or if you have pets who shed. A basic broom is a good alternative, although a dry dust mop or specially designed floor cleaning device meant to pick up dust and hair may be more effective at getting your floors really clean.
Mop up wet spills as quickly as possible to keep liquid from seeping into the seams between hardwood planks. Water can be sopped up with a paper towel, sticky fluids may need to be wiped up with a damp cloth to remove all residue. Watch any spots where water or liquids have been spilled to make sure the finish isn’t damaged or that the wood isn’t swelling between the seams.
Depending on manufacturer instructions, you may be able to clean your hardwood floors with a gentle oil based soap meant for cleaning wood. This kind of soap is usually diluted in water before being used with a sponge or cloth to remove built up or ground in dirt. Some floors have finishes which may be damaged by water; be sure to spot check in a closet or corner to make sure any product you use on your hardwood floors is safe and won’t damage or change the color of the wood.
If dirt is too thick or if your floor has significant dings or damage, you may want to completely strip and refinish it. This is a lengthy process, but it can bring even the dingiest hardwood floor back to life. Start by using a chemical stripping agent to remove any finish like varnish or polyurethane. It may take several coats to completely remove all traces of finish. After the floor dries completely, use a floor sander to smooth out the surface of the floor. Read directions carefully and follow all instructions for usage and safety to get satisfactory results.
After the floor is sanded, clean it with a dust mop followed by a damp cloth to remove all traces of dust and dirt.
Apply a new floor finish per instructions, this is usually done with sturdy rollers on long poles. Allow your finish to dry completely, consult manufacturer instructions for exact drying times. When the floor is completely dry, add a second coat of finish – lightly sanding any rough spots by hand with fine grit sandpaper between coats. Some products may require several coats; some may only need two or three, follow instructions carefully and use your best judgment to decide what’s best for you.
Some hardwood floors can benefit by being treated with a wood conditioning treatment which protects the wood from air and light damage, as well as reducing damage to already affected wood.
Caring for your hardwood floors is worth it; no other flooring is as easy to care for and repair.
Senior staff writer Jessica Ackerman of WallDecorandHomeAccents.com, writes “How To” articles on decorating with large wood wall art and contemporary metal artwork.
Photo credit to justinshearer.
Tags: cleaning, decor, design, easy way, hardwood floor, home, wall art
