{"id":116,"date":"2019-11-14T10:20:38","date_gmt":"2019-11-14T10:20:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rightmove.co.uk\/home-improvements\/?p=116"},"modified":"2020-01-20T11:22:24","modified_gmt":"2020-01-20T11:22:24","slug":"5-ways-to-care-for-engineered-wood-flooring","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rightmove.co.uk\/home-improvements\/flooring\/5-ways-to-care-for-engineered-wood-flooring\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Clean Wood Floors"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Wooden flooring has long been a staple of classic interior design, and it\u2019s not hard to see why. This natural, rustic material has endless aesthetic appeal, is incredibly hard-wearing and often seems to get better with age. Here, we take a look at how to clean your wood floors to ensure they stay spick and span while retaining their original beauty.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How to maintain a clean wood floor<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Looking after your wood floor is a matter of routine care and gentle cleaning. Hardwood doesn\u2019t like getting soaking wet, so it\u2019s important to minimise contact with water as much as possible. Here are our five tips for keeping your beautiful solid wood flooring clean without damaging it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Brush regularly<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The number one piece of advice is to brush up regularly with a soft-bristled brush. All domestic surfaces collect dust, dead skin, fluff, lint and dirt from outside, and although you would barely notice a few days\u2019 worth, over time they will form a layer, and oils and pigments will escape from them and get into your flooring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

All the experts agree you should brush away this dust regularly \u2013 even if you can\u2019t see it. They disagree on the frequency, however. Some say daily, others say two or three times a week. Most people don\u2019t have time to brush all their floors daily, so get into a routine of brushing at least twice a week and you should slow down deterioration drastically. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Vacuuming is OK \u2013 with care<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Vacuuming is fine, but be gentle. Don\u2019t use an upright vacuum with rotating bristles \u2013 use the lightest possible touch, with the softest possible head. Regular vacuuming with too harsh a cleaner will, over time, damage the surface of your flooring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Mop up every now and again<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Mopping up is fine, and it\u2019s an effective way of picking up dust and dirt. But there are a few rules you should follow:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  • Brush up first \u2013 this will remove any bits of grit that could scratch the top surface.<\/li>
  • Wring as much water as possible out of the mop \u2013 this is not a tiled kitchen floor, so don\u2019t treat it like one. Use as little water as possible.<\/li>
  • It\u2019s OK to use a cleaning product, but only use one that\u2019s suitable for wooden flooring, like a PH neutral cleaning spray or a mild mix of soapy water (always remembering not to get the floor too wet).<\/li>
  • Give your floor a mop at least once a month, and spot clean in between.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
    \"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    4. Dry up spillages quickly<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    If you spill a drink on your wood floor, act quickly. Although the surface may be treated for spillages, it\u2019s not magic \u2013 red wine, coffee, cola, tea or fruit juice could stain it if allowed to soak in. Wipe spillages clean with a cloth and then use a slightly damp cloth to finish off. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Even water can damage your floor if a puddle is allowed to stand, so be sure to dry it off straight away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    5. Rinse it with pure water<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    If you\u2019ve cleaned up a spillage or have washed your floor with or without a cleaning product, empty out your mop bucket and re-fill it with clean tepid water. Again, wring out as much water as possible and rinse the floor. If you have a \u201cclean water\u201d mop for this purpose, that\u2019s even better. Normal mopping is great, but can just move dirt from one place to another. A clean rinse should give the perfect finish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Some important don\u2019ts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Here are some important things to avoid to get the maximum out of your wood floor:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    • Don\u2019t soak it<\/li>
    • Don\u2019t use wax-based products<\/li>
    • Don\u2019t use abrasives<\/li>
    • Don\u2019t use ammonia-based cleaners<\/li>
    • Don\u2019t use vinegar<\/li>
    • Don\u2019t use a steam cleaner<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      These can all damage the visible layer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

      Prevention is better than cure<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      Keeping your wood floors in good condition is just as important as cleaning up. Follow these rules and you\u2019ll add years to the flooring\u2019s lifespan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      • Get protective pads for furniture feet<\/li>
      • Use a doormat to wipe your feet<\/li>
      • Avoid high heels and stilettos <\/li>
      • If possible, remove all outdoor shoes<\/li>
      • Avoid direct sunlight<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

        What about engineered wood floors?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        If you have engineered wood flooring as opposed hardwood, don\u2019t worry. The cleaning instructions for this alternate material remain the same as above, with a gentle, non-abrasive approach being the best course of action. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        With these simple tips and tricks you\u2019ll be able to maintain your beautiful wooden flooring for years and years to come – and to enjoy watching them simply get better with age. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        Wooden flooring has long been a staple of classic interior design, and it\u2019s not hard to see why. This natural, rustic material has endless aesthetic appeal, is incredibly hard-wearing and often seems to get better with age. Here, we take a look at how to clean your wood floors to ensure they stay spick and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":141,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-116","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-flooring"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nThe Best Way To Clean Wood Floors | Rightmove<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Wood floors make for a beautiful, statement-making feature of any home, which is why maintaining them is key. 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