Our Top 5 Timber Floor Care Tips

Stunning timber floors can be an attractive focal point of any home but many of us are guilty of not giving our wood floors the love they deserve.

Our technicians have seen many neglected wood floors over the years, and possess some inside knowledge on how to keep your timber looking lustrous and looked after.

How to Maintain Your Wooden Floors

Did you know that wood floors lose their lustre because of a build-up of micro-scratches caused by dirt and grit that scratch the floor when we walk? These small scratches are invisible to the naked eye, but cumulatively have a big impact on the appearance of your floor.

Another factor that affects the appearance of a wood floor is a build-up of cleaning product residues, causing floors to look dull and grimy in places. Preserving your floor’s shine, however, can be simple. Here are our tips to maintain the look of your wood floor for longer.

1. Sweep and spray

You should be sweeping regularly and keeping an eye out for debris that needs to be picked up promptly. Grit and debris left on or walked into, a wood floor can abrade the floor’s coating, causing your floors to wear quicker or worse still, create scratches.

Clean up any spills quickly with a spray mop, as some types of liquids can cause permanent marks if left on the floor for a long time.

2. Your secret weapon, doormats and rugs

Doormats and rugs can do a great job of protecting timber floors. An abrasive doormat at the entry to your home ensures that grit isn’t dragged inside (and across your timber) by shoes and a rug will add an extra layer of protection.

Placing a rug or runner in high traffic areas of your home will keep your floors in peak condition.

Use a rug protector on the bottom of your rug, as some bases may have a rough surface, which could cause slight damage to your flooring.

Shoes off inside the home is ideal but keep socks on if you can. Oils and moisture from bare feet can affect wood floor coatings over an extended period of time.

3. Stop scratches in their tracks

There are a couple of things you can do here.

Place some felt pads (buy from Bunnings and most department stores) on the bottom of your furniture to avoid creating scratches when moving furniture, sitting down on dining chairs etc.

If you have a pet that is often inside, keep on top of their nail care to avoid damage caused when they scoot across the floor.

4. Minimal mopping moisture

This one is going to make keeping your floor clean so much easier. Instead of a mop and bucket, use a spray mop.

Your floors should be dry approximately one minute after mopping them and a spray mop gives you much better control over how much water is going onto your floor. Too much water can cause wood to swell, shrink, crack or rot.

You should be able to pick up a good quality spray mop for under $50 or you can purchase a Bona Hard Floor Care Kit® from our online store, which includes a mop, cleaning pads and concentrated wood floor cleaner that will last for up to 12 months of use.

5. Pick the right timber floor cleaner

There are a lot of cleaning products to choose from and when you’re overwhelmed in the supermarket cleaning aisle, it’s easy to grab any product without checking the label.

Do your research to find the best and safest cleaning products to use on your type of floor but as a general rule, you should be using a neutral floor cleaner.

Avoid acidic cleaners, especially vinegar as acid-based cleaners can wear down floor coatings over time.

Be mindful of how much cleaner you’re using, too. More cleaning product doesn’t necessarily mean a cleaner floor and you may end up working even harder to get the residue off your floor.

Still not happy with how your floor looks?

Electrodry’s Wood Floor Refinishing services use expert equipment and cleaning solutions that safely and effectively remove built-up dirt, grime and wax to restore your floor’s original sheen.

Electrodry offers a range of timber floor services, including sanding, tailored to what your floor needs. Our services can minimise or completely transform worn and scratched areas of your floor and include the application of coatings that can protect and nourish your floor for years to come.