Wood Care

Maintenance tips for wood floors

• Never use sheet vinyl or tile floor care products on wood floors. Self polishing acrylic waxes cause wood to become slippery and appear dull quickly. The only remedy in this situation is to sand and refinish the floor.
• Place mats and throw rugs at doorway exteriors and interiors to help prevent the tracking of grit, dirt and sand.
• Never wet-mop a wood floor. Standing water can dull the finish, damage the wood and leave a discolouring residue.
• Wipe up food and other spills immediately with a slightly dampened towel.
• Do not over-wax a wood floor. If the floor dulls, try buffing instead. Avoid wax build-up under furniture and other light traffic areas by applying wax in these spots every other waxing session.
• Put soft plastic or fabric-faced glides under the legs of furniture to prevent scuffing and scratching.
• Remember that cleats, sports shoes and high heels can dent any floor surface. When a 9 stone woman takes a step in high heels she exerts over 2,000 psi (pounds per square inch). An exposed heel nail can exert up to 8,000 psi.
• When moving heavy furniture, completely pick up the furniture and carry rather than slide to best protect the wood flooring.
• For wood flooring in the kitchen, place an area rug in front of the kitchen sink.
• Use a humidifier in the home throughout the winter months to keep all wood movement and shrinkage to a minimum.

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