How to take care of your wood flooring

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Bona Spray Mop, Bona Bona Pareti & Pavimenti in stile industriale
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Hardwood is one of choicest flooring materials in use today. It has been so for hundreds of years. Woodcraft, including the art of natural wood flooring, differs widely from one place to another. Availability of different types of wood, local craftsmanship, tastes and tradition are the main reasons behind this differing pattern. Interestingly, these aspects also enriched the history of wood craft everywhere. 

Japanese homes used wood flooring built following the architectural tradition of the land. It is still considered to be the most preferred flooring solution in Japan. Parquetry, that added a new dimension to the art of wood flooring, flourished in Europe. Thanks to the highly evolved workmanship and abundance of timber, Malaysia too developed its own style. 

In feng shui wood represents vitality and growth. It is also recommended for spaces like living rooms and dining rooms that are shared by the entire family. That stylish wood flooring augments the beauty of the interior is not exactly a secret. But hardwood flooring requires periodic maintenance. Today we will discuss how to take good care of your beautiful wood floor.

Understand the wood type

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Teak is the most common wood type for flooring in this region. Natural oil secreted by teak makes it highly durable and resistant to termite attacks. The enduring charm of walnut and mahogany is undeniable. The latter is cherished for its reddish tint. The same applies for rosewood too. 

Ash is paler than oak, but more durable. Chestnut and maple is revered for their durability. The knots and texture of pine give your flooring a unique feel. Understanding the wood type will help you determine the type of treatment needed for your floor.

Regular cleaning regimen

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Daily dusting, sweeping or vacuum cleaning helps to keep your wood flooring free of dust and grime. It is essential for maintaining the hygiene of your interior as well. If you follow a “no shoe policy” at home then your job becomes slightly easier. In either case, using door mats and area rugs can keep the dust off your floor. 

Occasionally, remove your door mats and rugs to let your floor breathe a little. Do this during the sunniest part of the season. Your wood flooring will soak in the refreshing touches with sunlight and air. Besides, it will also develop a more uniform tone.

Things to avoid

Avoid using vinegar, ammonia based cleansers, bleach and detergent to clean your floors. It can affect the lustre of your wood flooring. While mopping the floor avoid using water or use it minimally. You can, however, use specific solutions recommended for natural wood flooring. Do a bit of market research to choose the best option.

Do not treat natural wood with oil not recommended for it. Never apply kerosene on your high quality wood flooring.

Don’t use abrasive materials, brushes with spikes or hard rollers to clean your floor. Pine, cedar and spruce may develop scratches from spiky heels, furniture or any other sharp objects relatively easily easier than certain other wood types, so be more cautious about them.

Polishing and oiling

Timber floors require periodic oiling and resealing. Varnishing helps to maintain the health of natural wood floors. Polyurethane varnishes are the most common type and they dry quickly. Varnish is available in matte, gloss and satin finishes. 

Waxing can extend the life of your timber floor. You can use waxes to give your flooring an authentic antique look. You can wax your floor without varnishing at all. But for best results, apply wax after varnishing your floor. 

A variety of oils are used to season the wood flooring. This is particularly needed for high moisture areas of your building like the bathroom and kitchen. Teak, linseed or pine oil is commonly used during this process. Don’t worry about the odour, it evaporates after few days.

Deep cleaning wood floors

Depending on the wood type and amount of traffic, your timber flooring would require deep cleaning every 3 to 6 years. During this phase layers of gathered dust are removed from the surface. Scratches are lightly sanded off to bring back the original look. Powder sanding is used to treat heavier damages.

Mildew and other greasy stains are removed with a trisodium phosphate solution. The entire process of varnishing and waxing is repeated once again to give it a pristine look. Each stage requires sufficient gap between them, to ensure proper drying up and sealing of the flooring material.

This stylish wood clad bedroom is designed by A4ESTUDIO. With adequate tending your wood flooring can help you to create a similarly charming interior as well.

Keeping humidity levels in check

Optimum moisture level in the interior atmosphere helps your wood flooring to maintain its health, especially when the wood is not seasoned and oiled properly. If humidity level regularly exceeds 55% use dehumidifiers in your home. 

On the other hand, when humidity levels remain below 35% for a prolong period of time consider opting for humidifiers. Even engineered wood flooring is susceptible to moisture. When due caution is taken to maintain the health of high quality timber flooring, it can last for generations.

If you want to learn more about floors, check out this post to learn about different kitchen flooring options!

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