If you want your hardwood floor to last a long time, you must invest in its maintenance. The key to effective maintenance of the hardwood floor lies in routine cleaning. You may wonder how something that you do regularly does not add to the look of the floor. Well, the results of the routine cleaning depend on the processes you follow and the efforts you take to minimize damage to the floor.
The only way to preserve the longevity and durability of your hardwood floor is through routine cleaning and regular maintenance. Here are a few tips on how to take care of a hardwood floor.
Sweep and Clean Dust Regularly
Let’s start with the basics by cleaning and dusting the hardwood floor regularly. You need to ensure that the regular maintenance of the floor becomes a part of your daily routine. You should follow the routine even if you have a no-shoes rule at home. You see, the dust from neighboring places settles into the grain and accumulates between the floorboards.
The situation worsens if you have pets at home. The hair that falls through the regular shedding process accumulates on the floorboards. Ignoring the basics can affect the health of the owner and the look of the floor.
Tread Lightly
Avoid walking on a hardwood floor with high heels. The sole of the heels can damage the surface and result in visible cracks on the surface. Placing furniture on the floor can dent the hardwood too. As a precaution, consider using felt pads. You can also place doormats outside every room to keep out the dirt, sand, and salt.
Keep The Room Cool
Like all other elements, the hardwood floor has an ideal temperature range that is perfect for its surroundings. A temperature range of 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit with humidity levels of 30 to 50% is the ideal room temperature for the thermostat.
By following the guideline for the ideal temperature, you will prevent all likelihoods of the planks gapping and buckling. The changes in the hardwood floor are a result of significant changes in the levels of heat and moisture in the atmosphere. However, you don’t need to be too concerned with the room temperature because you will have to change it radically to affect the hardwood floor.
Vacuum Every Week
The last step that you need to take is to vacuum the hardwood floor every week. You can also dust the floor with the help of a microfiber mop before you begin vacuuming. Leaving a lot of debris on the floor before vacuuming can scratch the surface of the floor.
These are some of the steps you can take to clean your hardwood floor and maintain its look for the years to come.