How to clean and maintain wooden floors: avoiding horror stories

With two decades of experience in the wood flooring manufacturing industry, we know all too well the horror stories associated with wooden floors. Some of the reasons are the poor quality of the product or the fault of past contractors; others are caused by a lack of understanding by homeowners. Even though high-quality engineered wood flooring should last for decades, improper handling and maintenance can result in significant damage. This can sometimes necessitate removing and reinstalling the floor entirely.

The proper care of wood flooring is essential to preserving its life and providing maximum efficiency. For the best possible results, always comply with the manufacturer's instructions when it comes to installing and maintaining your flooring. Furthermore, to keep your flooring in the best shape, here are some easy maintenance tips you should take into account.

1.  Regular wood flooring cleaning

Sand and dirt act as sandpaper on wood flooring. Sweep or vacuum your wood flooring regularly to remove dirt that can scratch or damage the surface. The best way to clean wooden floors is to mop them dry with soft bristles, use a vacuum cleaner with a wooden floor nozzle, or use a dry soft cloth. If possible, use the 'hard floor' setting on your vacuum. Do not use steam cleaners. Use a microfiber mop or a soft-bristled brush to clean the surface of the flooring.

2. Avoid wet wood flooring mopping

Avoid using a wet mop or excessive water when cleaning your wood flooring. Instead, use a damp mop with a small amount of water and a mild cleaning solution designed for wood floors. A wood floor cleaner diluted with water, such as SAICOS Wash Care/8101Eco, is recommended for wet cleaning. When using a wet cleaning method on a wooden floor, be sure to avoid water spots.

3. Wipe off spills immediately from wooden floors

Accidents happen, and spills can occur. When they do, wipe them up immediately to prevent damage.

4. Avoid harsh chemicals on oak flooring

Avoid harsh chemicals on your engineered wood flooring, as they can damage the finish and cause discolouration. Ammonia, bleach, lemon, vinegar, acid, chlorine, hydrogen peroxide, dishwashing detergents, oil soaps, sandpaper, all-purpose powdered cleaners, and other harsh cleaners are not recommended. Instead, use a mild cleaning solution specifically designed for wood floors. 

5. Protect  wooden floor from scratches

Place pads on the bottom of furniture legs to prevent scratches when moving furniture. Avoid heels or shoes with hard soles on the floor, as they can also scratch the surface.

6. Rugs and underfloor heating

Using thick rugs and runners with rubber backing on your wood flooring can trap heat and exceed the industry standard of 27°C, resulting in excessive shrinkage of the timber and adhesive issues. If you wish to use rugs, ensure they are thin enough to let the heat escape easily; you can do this by lifting the rug at intervals and feeling for temperature difference between the uncovered area and the area underneath the rug. Please read more about the use of wooden floor for underfloor heating >>

7. Humidity and temperature

In rooms with wood floors, the relative humidity should be 40–60%, and the temperature should be 17°C to 24°C. When using wooden floors with underfloor heating it is especially important to make gradual changes to your temperature rather than a sudden increase. If you use underfloor heating, do not raise the temperature more than 2-3°C daily and ensure the maximum floor surface temperature does not go above +27°C, with a maximum room temperature of +24°C. To keep heated floors in good condition, relative humidity should stay within the range of 40-60%, and the temperature should stay between 17-21°C. Otherwise, gaps may occur due to the natural qualities of wood.

8. Refinish wood flooring when necessary

Over time, the finish on your engineered wood flooring may become worn or scratched. You can refinish the floor to restore its original beauty if this happens. If the flooring has sustained extensive damage or cracked, sand the affected areas carefully. Vacuum the whole floor to eliminate dust particles and coat it with an additional layer of SAICOS premium hard-wax oil, following the manufacturer's instructions.

By following these simple tips, you can help ensure that your engineered wood flooring remains beautiful and durable for years.

Looking for premium quality wood flooring in London - get in touch: info@ecohardwood.co.uk