CleaningWe recommend Bona waterborne floor cleaners which are non-toxic and specially designed to be safe for floors, families, and the environment. In addition, Bona microfiber cleaning pads are machine washable up to 300 times, saving you money and protecting the environment. And, they are GREENGUARD certified for indoor air quality and the more stringent Children and Schools Program. These products are available from Stromberg Moore Hardwoods (contact us for products we currently stock) and at Atkinsons’ Markets.1. VacuumVacuum, dry mop or sweep to remove any loose dirt or grit. The best method of removing dirt and grit is vacuuming with a soft brush attachment on your vacuum. If using the Bona Microfiber mop to dry mop, remove any loose dirt or grit after dry-mopping by rinsing with water and wringing out the mop pad prior to cleaning floor with Bona Pro Series Hardwood Floor Cleaner.2. SprayLightly mist a 4’ x 6’ area of your floor or directly mist the cleaning pad with Bona Pro Series Hardwood Floor Cleaner.3.
CleanUsing a slightly dampened, well wrung-out Bona Microfiber cleaning pad, thoroughly clean the floor surface using your Bona Microfiber Mop. Finish one area before moving on to the next. When your mop pad becomes soiled, rinse with water, thoroughly wring out the pad and continue cleaning with Bona Pro Series Hardwood Floor Cleaner. When the mop pad becomes excessively soiled, launder and replace with another clean mop pad. Continued use of excessively soiled pads may cause streaking.Your Bona Microfiber cleaning pads are reusable and washable. Do not use any fabric softeners, dryer sheets, or bleach on your Microfiber Cleaning Pad as these products will diminish the natural cleaning characteristics of the microfiber.When a spill occurs, soak up the liquid right away. Mist the area with cleaner, and wipe with yourBona Microfiber Mop or a Microfiber Floor Cloth.4. MaintenanceRegular maintenance can improve the life of your home and protect your investment. Simple steps like annual Deep Cleaning and scheduled maintenance coats can help avoid costly refinishing.1.
Sweep wood floors often with a soft, fine bristle broom.2. Vacuum once or twice a week to remove dirt and sand. Use a soft brush attachment to minimize scratching.3. Since water is one of a wood floors worst enemies, get rid of water right away! Always remove spills promptly. While small drips of water may not harm the floor, be sure not to let excess amounts of water sit on the floor. Remove wet spills ASAP with soft towels or a wet/dry vacuum, then dry thoroughly.4. Use a very dry damp mop when mopping wood floors, since excess water can seep into seams and ruin a wood floor.5. Use furniture pads to place under table and chair legs and on the feet of dressers and armoires. They can be purchased at local hardware store or home center.6. Never drag furniture or other objects across a wood floor. Instead, clean the floor thoroughly to remove dust and grit, then use “gliding” furniture pads underneath the piece to aid sliding it across the floor.7. Install floor mats at each entrance so you don’t track in dirt and water/snow from the bottoms of shoes.
Consider using carpet runners/ area rug (with non-skid pads) over wood floors in high traffic areas.8. Vacuum area rugs and runners often so dirt doesn’t filter down through the weave and scratch the wood underneath.9. If possible, do not wear heavy shoes or high heels on hardwood floors, as some heels can cause dents.10. Be sure to follow manufacturer recommendations to treat flooring scratches and dents. If an area of the finish is damaged by water, it may be difficult to fix it. If you have questions, be sure to call us. 11. Maintain recommended relative humidity levels. Humidity recommendations range from 30-50% in a building. Temperature recommendations range from 60-80°F in a building. If you maintain normal living conditions within the recommendations, the amount of expansion and contraction in your hardwood flooring will be limited.What can you put under furniture to keep it from sliding on wood floors? Use non-slip furniture floor pads or an area rug to keep furniture from sliding across wood floors.
Inexpensive floor pads prevent furniture, such as couches, tables and chairs, from damaging wooden floors as they slide or shift. How do you safely haul furniture? How do you dismantle furniture? What is a Tibet Almond Stick? Sitting on a couch too hard or bumping into a table can cause it to move, leading to small scratches on hardwood floors. These build up over time and cause significant damage. Before shopping for a rug, take measurements of the furniture to ensure the proper size is purchased. When shopping for furniture pads, search for those that require no glue, nails or other application agent that may further damage floors. Look for rugs and pads that feature a rubber, non-slip bottom. Learn more about Furniture What is rustic Texas furniture? Rustic Texas furniture is a very broad description for a décor style that emphasizes natural wood and metal. It features heavy-duty, old-fashioned metal ha... How do you protect unfinished wood furniture?
The easiest way to protect unfinished wood furniture is to seal the wood, which protects it from heat, moisture, stains, spills and surface abrasion. How do I clean mahogany furniture? To clean mahogany furniture, apply a commercial product approved for wood or make a cleaning solution with vinegar and water. Apply cleaning products with ... How do you clean wicker furniture? To clean wicker furniture, first identify what kind of wood or paper is used in your furniture. Gently brush off as much dirt as possible. For some types o... Where is Stickley Fine Furniture located? How do you repair wood veneer furniture? How do you install drawer pulls on dressers? What is Mexican rustic furniture? How do you remove scratches from laminated wood floors? What was ancient Roman furniture like?Care of laminate flooring is relatively easy. It brings the beauty of a natural wood floor and the easy maintenance of a resilient floor together so you can have the style you want and the carefree maintenance you need.
While laminate flooring is remarkably durable, there is of course no such thing as an indestructible flooring material. By observing the following laminate floor care & maintenance precautions, you can expect years of beauty from your laminate floor. For general cleaning, use a dust mop or wipe occasionally with a damp cotton or cloth mop. If heavier cleaning is needed, an occasional damp mopping with Wood Floor Cleaner or Wood Fresh Hardwood Cleaner using the Wood Floor Mop for Consumer is suggested. Do not use soap, oil, wax-based products, or any type of polish as they leave a dull, filmy residue. Do not use paste wax or cleaners that contain lemon oil, tung oil or ammonia as this may damage your floor and void your warranty. Do not flood your floor with water. There are several popular consumer products on the market that leave a dirt-attracting hazy film. To help eliminate fine particles of dirt and grit that act like sandpaper and will scratch any floor, vacuum or sweep daily.
The vacuum head must be a felt or brush type. Be certain that the wheels of the vacuum are clean and do not damage the finish. DO NOT USE A VACUUM CLEANER WITH A BEATER BAR HEAD. Laminate floor care and maintenance is important for preserving the beauty of your floors. Like any floor covering, real laminate floors will show signs of wear over time, depending on the size and lifestyle of your family. But, by observing a few precautions, and using the cleaning and hardwood floor maintenance program recommended by the manufacturer, you can expect years of beauty from your laminate floor. Place walk-off mats at each entry way to trap dirt and grit that might be tracked in. These tiny particles act like sandpaper and will scratch your floor. Be sure to avoid using rubber-backed or non-ventilated mats as they may damage your floor. Instead, use mats designed especially for use on wood or laminate floors and remember to shake them out regularly. As added protection, use dirt-trapping walk-off mats at all exterior doors to keep sand, dirt, grit, grease and oil off your floor.
In addition to entry ways, be sure to place mats in any areas where water may be splashed such as near a sink or tub. Remove shoes with spiked or damaged heels before walking on the floor. Spike or stiletto high-heel shoes may cause denting and related damage to wood floors due to the extremely high compressive force they generate. Such footwear can produce dynamic loads in excess of 1,000 pounds per square inch, even when worn by someone of slight or average build. Laminate floor care requires that you never clean or mop your wood floor with water. Do not use any wax or cleaner that must be mixed with water such as oil, soap or paste wax products or other household cleaners that contain lemon oil, tung oil or ammonia as this may damage your floor and result in a loss of warranty. For laminate floor maintenance, remove spills promptly using a soft cloth and cleaning products recommended by the manufacturer. Be sure to keep pet nails trimmed and paws clean and free of dirt, gravel, grease, oil and stains.
Place protective pads beneath furniture legs to reduce scratches and dents. Use a dolly and protective sheets of plywood when moving heavy objects, furniture or appliances. Some objects may be too heavy to move across a hardwood floor under any circumstances. Certain types of casters on furniture may damage wood flooring. Barrel-type wheels (a minimum 1" continuous width is recommended) or wide, flat glides are best for hardwood floor care and protection. A humidifier is recommended to prevent excessive shrinkage of wood floors due to low humidity levels. Wood stoves and electric heat tend to cause very dry conditions. In damp conditions, proper humidity levels can be maintained with an air conditioner or dehumidifier, or by periodically turning on your heating system during periods of high humidity in the summer months. Exposure to the sun and its UV rays accelerates the oxidation and aging of wood and fabrics. This causes the stain and/or wood to fade and/or change color. It is recommended that you rearrange rugs and furniture periodically so the floor ages evenly.
The Pergo� warranty, among others, has this interesting warning: "Gloss or sheen reduction is not considered to be surface wear and is not covered by the above warranties." If you do a "Google™ search" on the web, you'll find thousands of complaints about a white, hazy, cloudy film on their hardwood and laminate floors after using these products, especially Orange Glo®, with most consumers extemely angry about what the products have done to their floors - resulting in oily, streaking, dirt-attracting residues. Of course, this is sometimes due to overuse of the products, but most of the consumers say they used the products according to label directions. Many consumers found that using diluted Windex Concentrate at 1:3 with water and "elbow grease" will cut through and remove the film. Some professionals have found that using Windex Concentrate diluted 1:3 with water and a red pad on a buffer will easily cut through the film, followed by a clear water rinse. Of course, minimal water should be used and water should never be used on a bare floor.