Floor Care

Excel Hardwood Floors Inc

Floor Care Tips

To prevent gouges and scratches in your floor, you should put feet protectors on all of your furniture. Area rugs that do not have rubber backings to them are ideal to protect high traffic areas. Rubber backings prevent the circulation of air and can cause moisture and warping problems. Monitor the rug areas as some species of hardwoods can become discolored when they are covered with rugs.

1. Purchase a flat-head mop that works with a terry cloth cover or Velcro pad along with a 'water based' hardwood floor cleaner. We suggest using Bona hardwood floor products. Oil soaps (e.g., Murphy's Oil Soap, Orange Glo, etc.), wood polishes and other cleaners (overspray) can damage the wood floor finish when used on or near the wood floors and can also cause problems during refinishing. Be careful in choosing your hardwood floor cleaner and when using dusting products near your hardwood floors.

JUST BECAUSE A PRODUCT SAYS IT IS FOR HARDWOOD FLOORS DOES NOT MEAN IT IS THE CORRECT PRODUCT!!

2. Always vacuum or sweep before you clean your hardwood floors.

3. Using a back-and-forth motion (going with the grain), clean the floor surface with your terry cloth mop (going with the grain).

4. If a spill occurs, be sure to wipe up the spill promptly with the floor cleaner. Mist the affected area with hardwood floor cleaner and clean with the mop.

5. Cleaning your hardwood floors once every 1-2 weeks is recommended. Frequency for general cleaning depends on the amount of traffic on your floors.

6. Replace pad on mop as one becomes soiled. Pads can be washing washing machine using laundry detergent only (no softener).

7. Place feet protectors on all feet of furniture. If bottom of chair legs are angled, cut them straight to keep them from digging into the floors.
 
8. Use area rugs on high traffic pathways. Rugs should allow the floor to "breathe". Avoid rugs with rubber backing or other non-ventilating material. Keep in mind that where rugs are placed, the flooring under the rug may fade or darken depending on wood species.
 
IMPORTANT: Room temperature should stay around 70 degrees, with humidity level between 30%-55% year round.

If you need professional advice on cleaning or maintaining your hardwood floors, you can always call us at Excel Hardwood Floors at 763-753-1677, and we'll be able to help!