Tips for Cleaning and Caring for Your Engineered Wood Floors
Ever Wonder How to Maintain the Beauty of an Engineered Wood Floor? Sure, by now you’ve felt how smooth and slick your engineered wood floors are when you walk barefoot across them. Or maybe you’ve pondered how to maintain that natural beauty day in, day out, without marring its soft surface? Constructed wood floors present the ideal blend of quality and elegance, however, these will need attentive maintenance to preserve their appearance. Whether you are a first-time homebuyer appreciating your first new floors or a seasoned homeowner ready to place the final touches on a remodel, having the knowledge of how to clean and maintain engineered wood floors will prove to be invaluable in the long run, saving you time, money and aggravation. So, just how are you going to maintain the beauty of this wonderful floor while still keeping it cosy and inviting? Let’s dive in!
1. Engineered Wood Flooring Explained
Engineered wood flooring is made with layers of wood that have been glued and compressed, the top is real wood in Bond Clean Brisbane. This construction makes it more stable than solid hardwood in normal fluctuations of heat and humidity. But this multiple layered structure also means the floor needs to be treated with patience when you save the new friendship, its appearance, easily damaged either by water or surface wear. The key to keeping your engineered wood floor looking great is to understand how it’s made.
2. Clean Every Day: Let Good Habits Take Care of the House
Engineered wood floors don’t have to be difficult to keep clean. The trick is to incorporate everyday habits into your routine that prevent dirt and grit from scratching the surface. Regular sweeping with a soft-bristle broom or dusting with a dry microfiber mop, cloth or a vacuum cleaner (with a hardwood floor attachment) is essential for debris removal. You want to avoid vacuums with rotating brushes that can scratch the wood. For a deeper clean, you can mop with a damp microfiber mop in water. Just watch that you don’t flood the floor- any more water can absorb between the layers and warp. Squeeze the mop as much as you can before letting it fly. Don’t use harsh chemicals such as ammonia-based or bleach cleansers, which can ruin the finish. Turn to cleaners specifically designed for your engineered wood, or a gentle mixture of water and pH-neutral soap instead.
3. Deep Clean Every Week and Every Month
Daily cleaning to keep dirt in check, and a deeper cleaning weekly or monthly to remove build-up and keep the floor looking shiny and new. Choosing the right cleaner is key: great engineered wood floor cleaners can be found at your local hardware store. Follow package directions carefully, and never use full-strength product directly on the floor. When mopping, use a fine mist of your preferred cleaner and a microfiber mop. Response: Do not leave in puddles or water, and dry off with a cloth after accidental exposure. Focus on corners and edges, where dirt and dust prefer to settle. Get into these hard-to-reach places with either a small brush or the attachments on your vacuum—just make sure not to scratch the finish.
4. How Can I Take Care Of My Floor With Preventive Maintenance?
Prevention is the best way to maintain clean floors long-term. Simple precautions can prevent scratches, dents and sun damage to your floors. Apply felt pads under furniture legs so when you’re sitting in a chair or moving a table, you won’t leave scratches. Area rugs in high-traffic areas can minimise wear and tear, but ensure rugs have a breathable backing so you don’t catch moisture. Humidity indoors should also be maintained within acceptable limits, as engineered wood is humidity sensitive. It’s best to keep relative humidity between 40-12% within your home, using a humidifier or dehumidifier to make sure the floorboards don’t expand or contract. Keep out of direct sunlight for extended periods, as this can cause the wood finish to fade. (It can be helpful to just rearrange rugs and furniture every now and again to allow even exposure.) Slippers also prevent shoes or heels from being driven into the floor, causing scratches or dents.
5. How to Get a Stain Out of a Microfiber Couch
Mistakes get made, but you can mitigate long-term damage to your floors if you act quickly. If spills happen, you should blot liquids immediately with a dry, soft, white or light-colored cloth. Do not rub or wipe , or you will only spread the moisture and make matters worse. For sticky, stubborn stains, wipe the area down with a damp cloth and a mild cleaner specifically made for engineered wood. DO NOT scrub the finish with non-abrasive rags or you risk scratching the finish. Be sure to avoid wax and oil-based products because they can build up over time, leaving residues behind and leaving your floor a greasy mess that slips and slides.
6. When to Call a Professional
Even with your best efforts, engineered wood floors can get worn out or damaged over time. Engineered wood has a thin layer of real wood, whereas solid hardwood can be 1/2” or more of the wood of your choice. For DIY hangers or repairs, have your floor checked by a flooring professional to assess its condition. Although deep scratches, stains, or water damage can’t be easily removed with a mop, they can usually be corrected with professional cleaning or repair.
7. Long-term floor care tips
Continually rotate rugs and furniture to ensure even wear and prevent fading. Request family members or visitors to remove dirt and small grit from their shoe soles prior to stepping in. Steam cleaners, too, should be avoided altogether, since the excess moisture and heat can wreck your engineered wood floors. Ensure that you have entry mats at all doors to help trap dirt and moisture before it gets to the flooring.
Conclusion: Protection From These Surprising Sources
Your hand-scraped wood floors add warmth, personality, and natural beauty to your home. And, when properly cleaned and maintained, they’ll look this good for years to come. The secret is consistency and a delicate touch — no harsh chemicals, overly damp environment or abrasive tools. For a home that’s full of timely details and long-wearing staples, invest in your floors with the type of quality and style that keeps you in upscale trim day in and day out. So, are you ready to start giving your engineered wood floors some love? Start with basic sweeping, less aggressive mopping, and just a little common-sense prevention now, and your floors and your feet.
