We can all agree that timber floors come with appealing texture and colour to create perfect enjoyment while walking on them. Generally, the warmth of wood is the best option for flooring, so you should take care of it. At the same time, after installing it, you will increase the overall appeal of your interior design, which is vital to remember.
We can differentiate a wide array of timber floor options available. Some come with solid wood, while others are engineered with laminate or composite, which will offer you the same enjoyment as parquet. Visit this link: https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-choose-flooring-1821631 to learn how to choose the best floor for your particular requirements.
Compared with ceramic or porcelain tiles, timber requires extra care and maintenance. Since wood is an organic material, it is more vulnerable to damage. Although it comes with advanced technology processing, you should maintain it properly to ensure its appearance and durability.
We wish to explore maintenance tips you should remember in the further article. Let us start from the beginning.
Table of Contents
Prevent Humidity
You should know that timber comes from hardwood such as cherry, walnut, ebony, maple, or oak. Therefore, you should install it away from excessive humidity and moisture areas. At the same time, wood is prone to damage due to moisture and water exposure, so you should find ways to prevent it altogether.
Suppose a floor is wet. Then you should clean the spill immediately and let it dry. We recommend you to use a soft cloth as much as you can to prevent further problems. The best material for cleaning hardwood is microfiber because it features a smooth texture that will not damage the wood. Besides, it is highly absorbent.
At the same time, you should finish the process by using a vacuum cleaner with a soft nozzle, brush, or bristle.
Recoat it Regularly
It is vital to remember that timber flooring can last at least twenty years with dry surroundings and proper maintenance. Therefore, you should clean it with a vacuum cleaner and broom while implementing a recoating at least once in three months.
We are talking about applying sealer to the hardwood surface. That way, you can cover the pores on wood, protecting its appearance and ensuring overall durability. We can differentiate between oil-based and water-based sealers. It is vital to click here, which will help you understand everything about timber flooring.
A water-based sealer is perfect for exotic and expensive wood because it dries quickly and will accentuate both colour and texture appeal. On the other hand, the oil-based coating requires more time to dry, but you will get a shiny effect and waterproofing.
Mopping Tips
If you have engineered timber flooring such as parquet, it is vital to understand that it requires additional care to ensure firmness and durability. The maintenance is like solid wood, but we recommend avoiding using liquid throughout the process.
Water pooling on the parquet can lead to severe issues, which is why you should clean and dry it as soon as possible.
Similarly, as you maintain a hardwood floor, it is not essential to mop it as a ceramic tile. Instead, it would be best to use a dry mop or damp cloth to clean a parquet, which will provide you peace of mind.
You can find parquet cleaner that you can mix with water with ease. On the other hand, you can create the one by yourself by combining a dishwashing liquid with water. The ratio is several drops of dishwashing liquid for every four cups of warm water.
The next step is to dip a cloth and wring it to ensure it is damp but not too wet for cleaning purposes. It would help if you used it to wipe stains and mop the entire parquet. If you wish to handle the whole floor, we recommend doing it per area. Finish a first and move to the next to achieve the best results possible.
Things to Avoid While Maintaining Timber Floor
You can find numerous DIY solutions for cleaning timber floors, but avoid the one with vinegar combined with baking soda. If you use it in large quantities, you can damage sealer coating, which will expose it to warping and other issues.
At the same time, you should avoid cleaning products that feature ammonia or alkaline because they can remove glossiness and cause unsightly scratches.
