Being a homeowner comes with an array of responsibilities, and over our 40 years of business, we have concluded that one of the largest responsibilities is maintenance.
This may seem untrue due to the millions of other responsibilities you have as a homeowner, such as paying the bills, making sure everything is running efficiently and safely, etc.
Yet, think to a time before you owned a home.
For instance, if you ever lived in an apartment, scratching and denting your floors is no big deal. You could carelessly move furniture, play fetch with your dog without worrying about their nails scratching up the floor, and much more. You may have not received much of your security deposit back but worrying about keeping the floors in good shape and fixing the incurred damages was not your problem.
When you own a home, this is just not the case. Maintaining certain elements of your home, especially your hardwood floors, is incredibly important in order to uphold the value of your home and save money in the long-run.
Hardwood Floor Maintenance
In a busy household with a lot of traffic, the damages incurred to your floors will be few to many. Whether this is from the kids playing indoor hockey while you’re at work or you have dogs who love to run up and down the hallway, your floors will take a beating.
To ensure their longevity and beauty, we recommend you recoat your hardwood floors every 3-5 years. However, in the meantime, we have a variety of maintenance tips that will not only ensure your floors health but can help result in a less costly recoat or refinish down the road.
Dave’s Hardwood Floor Maintenance Tips
Dust Mop to Remove Dirt
Sweeping and mopping will remove most dirt, however, the most effective tool for removing finer particles of dust and grit that grind of finish, is a dust mop. To ensure your floors look their best, it is best to dust mop once a week minimum. If you choose to vacuum, use a soft bristle attachment.
Damp Mopping Spills and Heavy Dirt
When mopping to remove spills or tracked in dirt, we recommend damp mopping with Dave’s Floor Sanding Citrus Cleaner or your preferred cleaner. To use, mist the floor and wipe with a microfiber cloth or terry rag. These cleaners will not harm the finish, nor will they leave a film. Just make sure to only use a damp mop, never wet, and don’t let the cleaning solution remain on the floor for a long period of time because excess liquids can soak between the boards and cause damage to the wood.
Avoid Wax or Polish
If you anticipate the need for a fresh buff and coat, never wax or polish your floors. The films left by the wax and polishes cannot be coated over. If you have already waxed or polished your floors, reach out and our experts can go over any questions or concerns you may have.
Maintain Humidity
To provide the best conditions for your hardwood floors, The National Hardwood Flooring Association recommends a relative humidity of 30% to 50% and a temperature range of 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. For this, a humidifier is necessary during the winter and an air conditioner or dehumidifier is necessary during the summer to reduce linear cracks.
Questions? Ask Our Professionals!
Serving the Twin Cities metro, we are dedicated to making the hardwood floor installation process as smooth as possible. Whether you need a service or just have a general hardwood flooring question – feel free to reach out today!
Call 763-784-3000 or fill out our contact form and we will get back to you!