| If you have hardwood floors, it is extremely important | | | | the hardwood floor, do not just assume that it is |
| to clean them regularly. If you do not have hardwood | | | | surface-sealed. Instead, get down on your hands and |
| floors, you could cause damage to your hardwood | | | | knees to inspect the wood. Brush across it with your |
| floors that cannot be repaired without refinishing the | | | | finger. If you create a smudge, the wood is not |
| floors. This can be a very expensive process which | | | | surface sealed and has instead been sealed with a |
| can be avoided with proper care of your floor. It is also | | | | penetrating product. |
| important to learn exactly how to clean your | | | | Even if your wood is surface-sealed, keep in mind that |
| hardwood floors. This starts with learning about the | | | | water is always going to damage your wood. Clean |
| different types of finishes. Every finish must be | | | | up spills as soon as they occur and use only a damp |
| cleaned in a slightly different way to avoid damage. | | | | mop for cleaning. When water begins to soak into the |
| The most common sealant for hardwood floors is a | | | | wood, it could get past the sealant and into the core of |
| surface-sealer like urethane or polyurethane. Some | | | | the wood, causing the wood to rot. Rotting floor |
| floors are also sealed using polyacrylic. In any case, | | | | weakens, and you might begin to see your hardwood |
| these types of hardwood floors are extremely easy | | | | floor splintering. As you mop, go with the direction of |
| to clean. They are water resistant, so you can use | | | | the hardwood floor with your soapy water. Next, rinse |
| most general cleansers to care for these floors. Of | | | | the soap as you mop with clean water. In both cases, |
| course, you still do not want to leave puddles of water | | | | do not use more water than you need, and if you |
| on your floor, but a damp mop works well. Start by | | | | notice water damage like expanding boards or |
| sweeping the floor with a broom that has very soft | | | | warping, contact a professional for help. |
| bristles. Do not use a broom that has been used | | | | Although penetrating sealants are a bit harder to clean, |
| outdoors and might have small rocks in the bristles as | | | | as long as you are diligent with your use of waxing, |
| this might scratch your hardwood floors. Then simply | | | | you should not have moisture problems. Use a |
| mop the floors using cold or warm water and use a | | | | commercial product made for hardwood floors to strip |
| soft towel to dry the floor when necessary. | | | | off old wax and then re-wax the floors. Buffing your |
| Some hardwood floors are not treated with | | | | floor will also allow it to look shiny and new. There are |
| surface-sealed products. Instead, these products are | | | | many contractors who will do this for you for a small |
| sealed with penetrating sealants like oil finishes. These | | | | cost, but by following the directions on the packaging, it |
| sealants soak into the wood and harden, and they are | | | | is not hard to figure out how to do it yourself either. |
| a bit harder to care for. You should use special | | | | Remember, the best way to avoid damaging your |
| cleaners made specifically for these cases in order to | | | | hardwood floors is to clean them regularly. Both |
| protect the floors. Wax products are usually | | | | surface-sealed hardwood floors and |
| recommended. | | | | penetrating-sealant hardwood floors should be cleaned |
| If the floors have not yet been treated, it is a good | | | | whenever they are looking dull or dirty or at least one |
| idea to avoid water all together. Use a broom to clean | | | | time a month. Taking this time out of your day can |
| the floor and avoid soaps or any liquids, which could | | | | avoid real damage in the future, and this damage often |
| cause the wood to expand, warp, or rot. Floors need | | | | costs tons of money to fix. So, it is in your best |
| sealant to be protected. Remember, varnish, stain, and | | | | interest to clean your hardwood floors carefully as |
| other kinds of products do not create a good seal on | | | | often as needed. |
| the floor. These products are not meant for the hard | | | | As you should realize, though, the kind of finish you |
| use a floor usually gets. Make sure you use a sealant | | | | have is important. If you are moving somewhere with |
| as well! | | | | hardwood floors, ask the old owners how they should |
| When cleaning different finishes, keep in mind that your | | | | be cleaned or talk to a professional. That way you can |
| first step needs to be determining which type of | | | | avoid any major problems with the hardwood floor as |
| hardwood floor you have in your home. If you cannot | | | | you clean it. |
| contact the person who originally installed and sealed | | | | |