Hard Wood Floors

Hi again 

This month I wish to share with you some thoughts on cleaning hard-wood floors.  Regular house cleaning is very important, but prevention is just as important. Hard wood floors come in many different types, timbers and colours and it is important to understand the seal or finish that has been applied before you clean. 

The Do's and Dont's to Maintain and Keep your Prize Wooden Floor

If you follow some general tips for day to day care then you will keep this prized part of your home in peak condition for many years.  Dirt dust and especially grit are the enemy of timber floors of all shape and sizes so it is important to reduce any level of grit getting onto the floor and then being walked into it. 

• A good mat at all entrances, but do clean the mat regularly especially mats at outside doors.
• Perhaps you might take on Scandaniavian habits and remove shoes in the home 
• Wipe up any spills of liquids, water, food etc as soon as possible.
• Make sure all furniture has protectors on legs or bases so if furniture is moved or dragged then it cannot scratch the floor

Routine cleaning and maintenance is just as important to keep that warm feeling you get from wood, so do take care with your floors. Liquids and water are very  bad for wooden floors, especially if they  have been waxed rather than varnished . Wood can soak in moisture if not fully sealed leaving a permanent mark or damage. Bear in mind this also applies to any outdoor decking.

Since no two surfaces are alike, no two surfaces should be cleaned alike. Contrary to popular belief, wood floors hate water, wet mopping or any kind of excessive cleaning. My suggestion is to clean your wood floors with a solution of one-quarter cup of white vinegar (about 25 ml.) mixed in a recycled spray bottle with about 700mls of warm water (most commercial spray bottles hold about 750 ml). Spray a cotton rag or towel with the vinegar and water solution and use it to lightly damp mop your floors. Once soiled, replace each rag with a fresh one. This gentle method will clean your wood floors without destroying them, but make sure to rinse off the vinegar solution once the cleaning is done and then dry the surface. This should ensure years of pleasure from your beautiful floor.

Please don't ever, ever, ever use anything oil-based on treated wood floors (or treated wood anything for that matter!). Commercially manufactured finished flooring and those treated with polyurethane hate oil. There's nothing more destructive to that shiny, protective surface than oil or oil-based cleaners because oil actually dissolves oil! Using an oil-based cleaner on your oil-treated floors will only remove that beautiful finish over time, making the wood look cloudy, dull and dirty. No matter what the label on the commercial wood floor cleaner says, if it contains oil, it will eventually ruin your beautiful floors.

The same way salad dressing separates, oil and vinegar don't mix, so cleaning with the simple vinegar solution is the best way to keep your wood floors in great shape. Whether they are cherry, maple, oak, pine, mahogany, walnut or bamboo -- brand new or antique, -- keep your floorboards in the best condition possible by cleaning gently and treading lightly.

According to  Franz Kafka “A stair not worn hollow by footsteps is, regarded from its own point of view, only a boring something made of wood”. 

While we will leave the day to day care to you, Pristine Home would love to help you with all or any of your home cleaning needs, outside or inside your home, and this will ensure that not only is your home kept neat and tidy on a regular basis but will leave you time to enjoy that warm wooden floor. Please call  1890252309 or info@pristine.ie  or visit our web site and avail of our many cleaning services. Let us do the planning and leave you the time for yourself.
Looking forward to hearing from you       
Diana