When you move into a home that has solid wood floors, you will typically want to make sure that you are looking after them as best as you can.
Some people buy homes because of the flooring and this kind of flooring can be very desirable. If your home doesn’t have solid wood flooring then it is also possible to get this installed but if you spend this money then you’ll want to make sure that you are properly looking after it.
Here, we are going to give you some of our best tips to help you look after your solid hardwood flooring. This will include everything from keeping it dry when something spills on it to the furniture that you are placing on top of it. Keep reading to find out more about what you can do.
Get It Installed Correctly
The first tip that we have for those who want to properly look after their solid wood floors is to make sure that you get it installed correctly. If you don’t get your solid hardwood flooring installed correctly in the first place, then you might find that it won’t last the test of time. Incorrect installation can lead to warping issues and the floor might not be protected in the right way.
When picking out your solid wood floors, consider the company that you are buying it from. Are they trusted by their customers? Do they have experience in installing this kind of flooring in homes that are similar to yours? If you can be sure that they are going to do the job correctly, you can ensure that your flooring is going to last longer anyway.
Keep It Dry
One of the most important tips that we have for those who want to properly look after their solid wood floors is to keep them as dry as possible. The issue with solid wood flooring is that water can cause warping and this is the last thing that you are going to want when your floor is brand new or looks great.
To prevent water or other liquids from damaging your flooring, you should consider wiping up any spillages as soon as you can. If you live in a home with young children then you might find that this can be quite difficult but it is something which you should aim to do. You should also be aware of water when cleaning your flooring as this can cause it to warp as well. Keeping it dry is key so make sure to consider this carefully.
Cleaning It
If you want to properly look after your solid wood flooring then you should try to keep it as clean as possible. The issue here is that dirt can lead to your surface getting duller and getting scratched. This is the last thing you want if you are trying to maintain an older solid wood floor or a brand new one that you have invested a lot of money in.
When cleaning your floor, you should try to use the right kind of tools. Try to use a broom to brush up any dirt or crumbs and then use a vacuum to get rid of it for good. If you do decide to mop your floor, you must use a damp mop rather than a totally soaked one. This will reduce the water that touches the floor and prevents warping.
No Shoes
Something that many people decide to do to protect their solid wood flooring is to prevent people from walking on it with their shoes on. While some shoes won’t cause any kind of serious issues to your flooring, others can cause dents and scratches. This is why you should try to avoid having shoes on when walking around your wooden flooring.
It might be a good idea to introduce a ‘no shoes’ policy when anyone enters your home. While this might seem a bit extreme, it is actually very common in many homes around the UK.
Consider Your Furniture
Our final tip for those who want to properly look after their solid wood flooring is to consider the furniture that you have in there. If you have recently had a solid wood floor installed in your home, then it is likely that you have redecorated the entire room. This means that new furniture will be in place and this poses a risk to your flooring. Sofas or chairs that can be moved can scratch the floor and cause warping if they are too heavy.
If you want to protect your flooring, consider investing in some rugs that can be placed below the piece of furniture. You can also buy protective covers for the feet of some kinds of furniture and these can even come with them when you buy them. This will reduce the risk of your furniture getting damaged and it is something which you should consider.
Final Verdict
When you buy a solid wood floor or invest in a home with an older one, you need to make sure that you are protecting it as much as you can. It can be easy to fall into the trap of using a cleaning product that is not suited to this kind of floor or to get it installed by someone who is not properly trained to do so.
Think about the amount of water that you let get onto your floor. Avoid placing your floor in a room that is going to have a lot of moisture as this can warp your floor over time. If you can clean up any spillages as soon as they happen, you can protect your flooring for longer.
Follow all of the advice that we have given you in this article and this should help you to protect your flooring for longer. Hopefully, you’ll have a stunning solid wood floor for many years to come.
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