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| Greetings!
Wood floors are one of the most sought after floor
coverings among new home owners. And wood floors aren't just about resale
value; they also make it infinitely easier to keep your home clean and allergy
free.
But keeping your wood floors gleaming is a challenge for many of you -- at least based on the
number of questions I get about laminated, wood and prefinished wood floors! So
this month's newsletter is dedicated to answering your questions about cleaning
wood floors and maintaining one of your home's most desirable assets.
When you're done reading our feature article, be sure to
check out this month's special 20% off offer for Furniture Feeder. It's a great product for keeping all your wood furniture as brightly gleaming as your wood floors!
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Q&A: The Secret to Gleaming Wood Floors
Image: Seattle Dream Homes | Are your wood floors dull, grimy or just generally lacking their original luster? Gleaming hardwood floors are a major asset to any home, evoking warmth, beauty and (allergy-free) clean. But keeping those floors clean can seem like an impossible chore. Should you vacuum or is it better to sweep? Is it safe to use wax? What about vinegar? Do you damp dust or no water whatsoever? A lot of advice is bandied about, but what does it all mean? And how do you know what your floors need?
Here are 5 of the most commonly asked questions and our recommendations for keeping your wood floors gleaming.
Q: How do I get all the dust, cat hair and micro-crumbs off my floors? They seem to be a magnet for that kind of stuff!
A: Some people swear by an electro-magnetic broom; others tell you to use the Swiffer. But in our experience, your (and your floor's) best friend is the vacuum.
The biggest threat to your floor's finish is scratching and dulling from all those fine pieces of dirt and dust. Brooms and even Swiffers leave behind far too many of those particles, putting your floors at risk. By frequently vacuuming -- including under the profile of furniture pieces and area rugs -- you can prevent damage to your floor's coating.
Be sure to use a vacuum that has a floor attachment, so you don't scratch your floors in your attempt to prevent them from getting scratched! We are partial to our Big Vac, but no matter what vacuum you chose, be sure it has a efficient, effective floor attachment.
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Q: What cleaning products should I use on my floors? I've heard everything from plain water and vinegar to polish and wax. What do you recommend?
A: Finished hardwood floors, even those finished with polyurethane, are the ideal candidate for the Clean Team's Sh-Clean. Its pH-balanced formula is free of acrylic, silicon and wax, so it won't scratch or dull your floor.
A few tips for usage: Be careful when applying the Sh-Clean with a mop. It's best to use a minimal amount of water -- the dryer the mop head, the better. Never put water or cleaning solution directly on your floor and never use a 'dripping wet' mop. Wring it out so that it is just barely damp.
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Q: My floors have a polyurethane finish on them. What is that and what special care does it require?
A: Polyurethane floor coatings are durable and long-lasting -- as long as they are properly maintained. When floors start to lose their shine, additional coats of polyurethane can be applied. However, cleaners that contain wax, acrylic or silicone will create a barrier that can not be removed -- and will prevent new coats of polyurethane from adhering.
To maintain your polyurethane finished floors, sweep or vacuum them regularly, then wash, when necessary, with a mild, no-rinse floor cleaner, such as Clear Ammonia or Sh-Clean. Again, do not apply cleaners with wax, acrylic or silicone to your polyurethane finished floors.
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Q: Our older home has wood floors coated with varnish. What is this and how should we care for them?
A: Before there was polyurethane, there was varnish. This beautiful finish was the preferred finishing before polyurethane but is, unfortunately, not as durable. To increase durability and shine, use a paste wax such as Johnson's or a liquid floor wax such as the Clean Team's Fortified Floor Wax. Like with polyurethane finished floors, it is important to regularly sweep or vacuum your floors and to avoid using water directly on your floors. When you do mop, use a no-rinse, no-residue cleaner, such as Sh-Clean.
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Q: My polyurethane finished floor has small scratches from the cat's claws and furniture that didn't have pads on it. Is it possible to repair or improve the floor's appearance without completely refinishing it?
A: You can touch up the finish in a small area, as long as you haven't applied wax, silicon, or acrylic to the floor. Clean the area well, then lightly sand the scratched area with fine steel wool (#0000). Finally, apply a layer of polyurethane. The scratch may still be visible, but the scratch will be sealed and moisture will not be able to penetrate the surface.
Do you have questions about how to keep your hardwood floors gleaming? Send me an email at jeff@thecleanteam.com.
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Thanks for reading us this month! Come visit us on the web at www.thecleanteam.com.
Sincerely,
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Jeff Campbell
The Clean Team Catalog |
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