Hardwood floors are a major attraction in many homes. A well-polished parquet or carefully brushed Pergo gleams when guests enter your home, setting a refined tone for the evening. Keeping your hardwood shiny and lustrous is no easy task; So in between house cleaning service visits, follow these tips to make sure your floors are the showpiece.
Before cleaning, remember the two biggest enemies of hardwood floors. The first is scratches that leave unsightly jagged lines in the grain of the wood. The second is water, which can cause your floors to warp and loosen over time. Avoid any cleaning method that could introduce such items to your floors.
Start by sweeping with a soft broom to remove large dirt particles. Once a week, vacuum with a soft brush attachment to pick up any smaller particles that the broom might have left behind. Make sure your vacuum is set at the proper height to suck up a lot of the dirt.
Once most of the dirt has been removed, use a slightly damp mop to thoroughly clean the floor. If you can wring the water out of the mop with your hands, it is too wet to use. The mop should not leave moisture on the surface and should be washed frequently during cleaning to avoid scratching the hardwood surface.
When the cleaning service company comes, place rugs on the floor in high-traffic areas. These stylish rugs are both stylish and functional, saving floors from the trauma of high heels and heavy shoes that could leave dents. If you prefer not to use corridors, consider at least installing a mat near exterior entrances. These will catch most of the dirt that visitors may track down, making partying a little easier in your home.
Ask a flooring specialist if your hardwood requires waxing or polishing. These procedures keep your floors radiant and shiny, although they will also become somewhat slippery for a few days afterward. Always polish in a circular motion starting at one corner of the room and working your way out. The same applies to waxing; After finishing the treatment, avoid walking on the ground for at least thirty minutes to an hour.
If you notice a scratch on your floor, don’t panic. Pick up a wood repair kit to match your hardwood at your local hardware store, as well as some floor wax. Using the kit, very carefully paint over the scratch along the grain of the wood. Allow the paint to dry before brushing on the wax to match the smoothness of the surrounding floorboards.
While hardwood floors are a bit of a hassle to clean and maintain, they add distinctive character and charm to a home. When your NJ maid is away, put some muscle into your own floorboards so they shine for weeks to come. To learn more about cleaning tips, visit http://www.maidformommy.com