No one wants flooring that is dull, scratched, stained, mottled, scarred, pitted and ruined. But these are common problems. How can they be avoided?
Follow the simple rules here to steer clear of most of the things that damage flooring. On the positive side, always clean floors according to the manufacturer’s instructions. They know how their products are finishing and they know the most effective ways to keep them looking good.
But this isn’t a list of what to do. Here’s what not to do
Never use ammonia or abrasive cleaners on a wood floor. It will dull the finish.
High-acid vinegars should not be put on flooring. Vinegar can etch clear finishes, clouding the finish.
Minimize the water when wet mopping and always use a neutral-pH soap, such as a dish detergent. Don’t allow puddles to form and dry. Evaporated, water creates stains that suck the shine right off your floor. It’s also critical to use clean water for rinsing because dirty water may be filled with grit and sand, which may leave fine scratch-marks on the floor.
Install floor guards on the feet of all furniture. Raw wood on the bottom of sofas, chairs and tables may gouge and scar flooring.
Place mats and rugs at entry doors and in front of sinks, where they can catch pebbles, sand and water that might damage floors.
Avoid wearing high heels across wood floors. Pointed heels can leave a behind a trail of pockmarks.
Always trim the nails of a large dog. Big pets can play havoc with a wood-floor finish.
Set up windows and rooms to minimize sun exposure on flooring. Over time, sun will dull a finish.
Wood flooring is made to endure quite a bit of abuse, but every finish is vulnerable to damage in a variety of ways. Take care and treat your flooring right.
via Hardwood Flooring | FloorTalk – for all the latest flooring fashions.
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