What Do I Do About Dull Wood Floors?
Nobody likes having dull wood floors. Hardwood floors bring out the best in your home, citing their appeal and functionality. These perks make hardwood flooring a significant investment in the house. Keeping them in the best condition allows you to enjoy shiny floors for many years.
Over time, the hardwood floors start to lose their shine if you ignore the need for routine upkeep. Dull-looking floors are unattractive, so you need to restore them as soon as possible. Getting to the root of the problem can help you get suitable restoration results the first time. Read on to learn everything about why hardwood floors look dull and how to solve them.
What Do Hazy and Dull Hardwood Floors Look Like?
On installation, hardwood floors come with a glimmer and remarkable shine to complement your living space. Unfortunately, hardwood floors can lose their luster over time, leaving them looking hazy and dull.
The once brilliant shine on wood floors is replaced by a cloudy, milky substance that won’t disappear even after extensive cleaning. As a result, it leaves the floor surface looking dull and unimpressive.
Why Do Hardwood Floors Get Hazy and Dull?
There are many reasons you may end up with dull and hazy floors. Some of the most common contributing factors include the following:
Use Of Harmful Cleaning Products
Hardwood floors require the best care to retain impeccable condition. Substandard cleaning agents contain harmful components that leave your floors dull. Such cleaning products leave residues and streaks behind after cleaning, which affect the integrity of your floors.
Wear and Tear
The shiny part of the floor is the outermost layer, most exposed to wear and tear. Continued floor use depletes the glossy top surface, exposing the dull one below it.
Improper Finishing During Installation
The finish is applied as the final coat to offer your floors the perfect shine. Sometimes the coat might be misapplied, so it comes off and creates a dull look.
Moisture Problems
Hardwood floors don’t do well with water, so that moisture problems can destroy the flooring finish. In addition, water has mineral and salt deposits that react with the floor finish to leave a hazy look.
Tips to Prevent Hardwood Flooring from Being Dull
Hardwood floors get hazy over time, but you can prevent the whole process. Here are some valuable tips to help you maintain a shiny floor:
- Using the proper cleaners – pH-neutral cleaning agents are gentler on the hardwood floor finish and clear stains without causing them to haze.
- Use fewer amounts of the cleaning product to help you achieve a clean floor without leaving damaging streaks.
- The right cleaning equipment and practices can reduce wear and tear or damage to the floor. You end up retaining shiny floors.
- Regular cleaning and dust mopping can help eliminate particles that are harmful to your floor.
- Restoring Hazy Dull Hardwood Floors
If you already have dull wood floors, you should try restoring their shiny feature. Eliminating the dull look on hardwood floors will require you to dissolve the built-up layer. Here are some tips to help you restore hazy floors:
Using Ammonia Solution
Ammonia solution is perfect for cleaning marks and sticky stains on surfaces. The powerful cleaner also works well when clearing haze buildup on the floor. Gently moping through the affected area using the ammonia solution can help do away with the haze. Then, rinse thoroughly to remove the excess ammonia residue and enjoy the perfect results.
Natural Cleaners
Instead of using harmful cleaning products, you should opt for natural or industry standard cleaners. Natural cleaning components like vinegar are non-toxic and help disinfect surfaces. They also have acidic properties that can help dissolve haze on flooring surfaces. Be careful not to use just vinegar on your floors.
Refinishing Your Hardwood Floors
In some cases, the haze on the floor results from extensive wear and tear on its finish. The best solution would be to apply a new finish for the perfect shine. You need to hire an expert for the best results; they handle floor sanding and polish for the ideal finish.
Ready To Get Started?
Restoring hardwood flooring will ensure you end up with an impressive-looking floor. It would be best to involve the experts since they get to the root of the problem and offer you lasting results on the restoration.
Dave’s Floor Sanding is your trusted hardwood floors restoration company in Minnesota. Call our flooring company at 763-784-3000 if you would like help restoring or refinishing your floors, either to prevent hazy hardwood or to repair it.