Maintaining and caring for your hardwood floor
Solid coconut floors are among the easiest to keep clean.
Protect their warmth and character with simple,
everyday cleaning techniques.
PREVENTION
Dirt, grit and sand are your hardwood floor's worst enemies.
They act like sandpaper on the finish, causing scratches,
dents and dulling. Place floor mats at entrances to trap dirt
and prevent damage.
Take off outdoor shoes when you enter the house.
Standing water can warp a poorly finished hardwood floor
and can damage the finish.
Simply wipe up all spills as they happen.
Prevent leaky appliances- when sinks, dishwashers, water heaters,
washers or ice makers leak or flood, you may not know until its
too late. Have a sheet metal shop make a floor pan to go under
these appliances. Fit it with a drain hole and small hose which goes
through the floor to the outside. When a leak occurs,
the water will be taken away and you won't have to deal with
a huge headache.
Avoid oil soaps. They can build up and create problems when
it's time to put a maintenance coat on the floor. Instead, neutral pH cleaners made specifically for wood floors are
recommended.
Lift the furniture to move it --- avoid dragging. Felt contacts under the legs will help prevent scratches.
Direct sun can discolor your hardwood floor. Add sheer curtains or drapes to protect from the sun's intense UV
rays
CLEANING
Vacuum with a brush attachment -- don't use vacuums with beater bars. Canister vacuums with special bare floor
attachments are the surest way to get rid of all the dirt and dust. Brooms with fine, exploded ends trap dust and
grit effectively. Use a good dust mop --- one with a 12- to 18- inch cotton head.
Damp Mopping- Some professionals recommend that you damp mop your hardwood floor and others cringe at the
suggestion. Just remember, if your floor's finish is in good shape and mopping is done quickly and correctly, the
water won't penetrate. You're cleaning the finish, not the wood, so don't use water if the finish is in poor shape.
Depending on how much use your floor gets, you may have to mop it as often as once a week. Use a neutral pH
wood cleaner and water. Wet the mop and wring so it's about half-dry. Wet the floor with the mop. Dip the mop
into clean water, wring it as dry as you can and mop over the floor again.
REMOVING STAINS IN WAXED FLOORS No matter how careful you are a stain can still occur.
Water Stains -Rub the spot with No. 2 steel wood and re-wax. For more serious water stains, lightly sand with fine
sandpaper, clean the spot with No. 1 or 00 steel wool and mineral spirits or floor cleaner then refinish and wax.
Cigarette Burns -If not severe, the burn can be removed by rubbing with steel wool moistened with soap and water.
Heel and Caster Marks -Rub vigorously with fine steel wool and floor cleaner. Wipe dry and polish.
Ink Stains and Other Dark Spots -Use No. 2 steel wool and floor cleaner to clean the spot and surrounding area.
Thoroughly wash the affected area. If the spot remains, sand with fine sandpaper, re-wax and polish. Stubborn
stains may require that you replace the affected area.
Chewing Gum and Wax Deposits -Ice until the deposit is brittle and crumbles off. Pour floor cleaner around the
stain so the fluid soaks under and loosens it.
Alcohol Spots -Rub the spot with liquid or paste wax.
Repairing Wax Finishes -Rub fine steel wood in a puddle of re-conditioner or paint thinner and clean as you go.
Apply wax and buff. Always start cleaning at the edge of a stain and work toward the center so it won't spread.
Squeaks -When the air in your home becomes extremely dry, your floor will lose moisture and contract.
Conversely, when humidity is high, your floor will absorb moisture and expand slightly. As humidity stabilizes,
hardwoods regain their original dimensions. Air conditioning in summer and humidifying in winter will keep your
home's humidity comfortable for you and your floor. Prolonged cycles of shrinking and swelling of your hardwood
floor may result in squeaks. They can be easily corrected. Apply liquid wax, powdered soap, talcum powder or
powdered graphite between floor boards that are rubbing together. If that doesn't stop the squeak, drive two-inch
finishing nails through pilot holes on both edges of the board then hide the hole with matching color putty or wax.
If you need to refinish or replace your hardwood floor, consult a professional for best results.
Solid coconut floors are among the easiest to keep clean.
Protect their warmth and character with simple,
everyday cleaning techniques.
PREVENTION
Dirt, grit and sand are your hardwood floor's worst enemies.
They act like sandpaper on the finish, causing scratches,
dents and dulling. Place floor mats at entrances to trap dirt
and prevent damage.
Take off outdoor shoes when you enter the house.
Standing water can warp a poorly finished hardwood floor
and can damage the finish.
Simply wipe up all spills as they happen.
Prevent leaky appliances- when sinks, dishwashers, water heaters,
washers or ice makers leak or flood, you may not know until its
too late. Have a sheet metal shop make a floor pan to go under
these appliances. Fit it with a drain hole and small hose which goes
through the floor to the outside. When a leak occurs,
the water will be taken away and you won't have to deal with
a huge headache.
Avoid oil soaps. They can build up and create problems when
it's time to put a maintenance coat on the floor. Instead, neutral pH cleaners made specifically for wood floors are
recommended.
Lift the furniture to move it --- avoid dragging. Felt contacts under the legs will help prevent scratches.
Direct sun can discolor your hardwood floor. Add sheer curtains or drapes to protect from the sun's intense UV
rays
CLEANING
Vacuum with a brush attachment -- don't use vacuums with beater bars. Canister vacuums with special bare floor
attachments are the surest way to get rid of all the dirt and dust. Brooms with fine, exploded ends trap dust and
grit effectively. Use a good dust mop --- one with a 12- to 18- inch cotton head.
Damp Mopping- Some professionals recommend that you damp mop your hardwood floor and others cringe at the
suggestion. Just remember, if your floor's finish is in good shape and mopping is done quickly and correctly, the
water won't penetrate. You're cleaning the finish, not the wood, so don't use water if the finish is in poor shape.
Depending on how much use your floor gets, you may have to mop it as often as once a week. Use a neutral pH
wood cleaner and water. Wet the mop and wring so it's about half-dry. Wet the floor with the mop. Dip the mop
into clean water, wring it as dry as you can and mop over the floor again.
REMOVING STAINS IN WAXED FLOORS No matter how careful you are a stain can still occur.
Water Stains -Rub the spot with No. 2 steel wood and re-wax. For more serious water stains, lightly sand with fine
sandpaper, clean the spot with No. 1 or 00 steel wool and mineral spirits or floor cleaner then refinish and wax.
Cigarette Burns -If not severe, the burn can be removed by rubbing with steel wool moistened with soap and water.
Heel and Caster Marks -Rub vigorously with fine steel wool and floor cleaner. Wipe dry and polish.
Ink Stains and Other Dark Spots -Use No. 2 steel wool and floor cleaner to clean the spot and surrounding area.
Thoroughly wash the affected area. If the spot remains, sand with fine sandpaper, re-wax and polish. Stubborn
stains may require that you replace the affected area.
Chewing Gum and Wax Deposits -Ice until the deposit is brittle and crumbles off. Pour floor cleaner around the
stain so the fluid soaks under and loosens it.
Alcohol Spots -Rub the spot with liquid or paste wax.
Repairing Wax Finishes -Rub fine steel wood in a puddle of re-conditioner or paint thinner and clean as you go.
Apply wax and buff. Always start cleaning at the edge of a stain and work toward the center so it won't spread.
Squeaks -When the air in your home becomes extremely dry, your floor will lose moisture and contract.
Conversely, when humidity is high, your floor will absorb moisture and expand slightly. As humidity stabilizes,
hardwoods regain their original dimensions. Air conditioning in summer and humidifying in winter will keep your
home's humidity comfortable for you and your floor. Prolonged cycles of shrinking and swelling of your hardwood
floor may result in squeaks. They can be easily corrected. Apply liquid wax, powdered soap, talcum powder or
powdered graphite between floor boards that are rubbing together. If that doesn't stop the squeak, drive two-inch
finishing nails through pilot holes on both edges of the board then hide the hole with matching color putty or wax.
If you need to refinish or replace your hardwood floor, consult a professional for best results.
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