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Essential Wood Floor Care

Are you floored by your floor? Every time you invite your friends over, do you hover around your guests in case someone accidentally sloshes water or spills his drink over your elegant wooden floor -- or an adorable little angel wipes his chocolaty hands on your floor? All of us do! Instead of fretting, earn how to take care of those accidents -- and relax.
First, understand the basics. All wooden floors do not require similar maintenance. What determines the method of wood floor care is-the finish on the floor. The first thing to consider before you choose any product for your wood floor is whether your floor is covered with wax or polyurethane. After you determine that, choosing a product becomes easier. There is a simple method to find that out. If water stays on top of the floor, your floor is covered with polyurethane. If the floor soaks the water in after a few minutes, then the covering is wax.
The Do’s and Don’ts

Always

• use a product designed specifically for wood floors.
  
• protect your wood floors with a sealer.


• wipe off any spills immediately. The cloth used for wiping should be damp (not wet), if used on a well-sealed wood floor. Later, wipe dry with a cloth or paper towel.


• Use a vacuum cleaner (use a brush attachment, avoid beater bars) often to prevent dirt from scratching the floor. If sweeping, a good quality mop or broom also serves the purpose (Stanley Woolux Dry Mop, Stanley Mop and Duster Spray, Stanley Slimline Broom)


• Provide extra protection to your floor with a carpet or rug when you are planning a children’s party or a get together where you expect a lot of people.


• Use door mats to prevent (at least to some extent) the incoming dirt.
  Never


• slosh water on your wood floor, while mopping.


• drag your furniture. It will put scratches on your floor.


• rub too hard on the wood finish, especially when you are trying to remove stains. You may end up removing the lacquer along with the stain.


• allow too much sunlight to fall on your wood floor. It damages the finish. Try window tinting or (if you are not averse to it) drape the windows.

  Home Remedies for common disasters



• To remove stains caused by chocolate, oil, or any other greasy substance, use white spirit.


• Never allow water to stay on your wooden floor. Mop it up immediately.


• To remove stains caused by lipsticks or crayons (that adorable kid again!), use a mixture of Turpentine and water.


• Blood stains can be easily washed away by cold water.

Commercial products that increase the longevity of your wooden floor
After you have determined whether your floor is covered with wax or polyurethane, choosing a product available in the market becomes easier. There are a number of products that are safe to use on most floors (Stanley Easy Mist Wood Floor Cleaner). You may also use a floor finish (Stanley Wood Floor Cleaner and Polish) to coat your floor with a high gloss shine.
For waxed floors, a waxing compound is ideal. To use a waxing compound, one should also invest in a wax applicator. For polyurethane covered floors; no-wax products are readily available. A simple home remedy is to clean the floor with vinegar and water. Vinegar, when mixed with vegetable oil, can also be used as a wood floor top coat. A must buy are special formulations available in the market that contain vinegar among other ingredients ( Stanley Easy Mist Floor Cleaner) One can also use washing soda and hot water to wash the floor. For this, mix one-teaspoon washing soda with one-gallon hot water. Always check the manufacturer’s directions before using any product on this investment.
So, watch your step (oops! floor)
There is absolutely no reason why you shouldn’t enjoy a flawless finish on your floor for years and years if you care for it as much as you do for the other accessories in your home.

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