Hardwood Do’s and Don’ts

DO’S

• Install humidity controls.  The use of a dehumidifier or humidifier is critical in areas with frequent variations in temperature and humidity.
• Sweep with soft bristle broom or dust mop the floor daily.  Walking on dusty or dirty floors will damage the finish.
• Vacuum the floor regularly using a floor tool and not a beater brush.
• Clean spots from the floor by rubbing with a lightly dampened cloth.  Spray the cleaning product onto the cloth and not the floor. Use a cleaning product acceptable to the manufacturer.  Your dealer, installer or a wood flooring company can assist you with this.
• Purchase a “floor care kit” recommended by the installer or retailer.
• Dry up spills immediately.
• Use felt or similar soft protectors on the legs or feet of furniture.
• Use throw rugs at locations where soil may be tracked onto the floor or at areas subject to regular pivotal traffic such as in front of a kitchen sink, or sofa or chair.
• Area rugs should be moved occasionally so that natural fading of the floor will be evened out.
• Use mats at outside doors to assist keeping dirt and dust outdoors.
• Keep the outdoor walks and porches clean so dirt is not tracked on to the floor.
• Use barrel-type caster wheels or wide glides on furniture.
• Restore lost luster with topcoat dressing.
• Recoat worn surfaces before the bamboo or wood is exposed to avoid re-sanding.
• Have the floor professionally screened and recoated before wear on the finish is too severe.  This may be several years down the road depending on care and use.

DON’TS

• Do not use dust treatment sprays or chemicals.  These products may cause the floor to become slick or dull the surface.
• Do not use a vacuum beater brush, as it will damage the finish.  Use the vacuum floor tool.
• Do not wet mop the floor.  When using a damp mop, spray the cleaning product onto the mop and not by dipping the mop.  Remember that water is the number one cause of damage to a floor.
• Do not allow spills to dry on their own, wipe them up immediately.
• Do not regularly clean with water or water-based products. Clean only the soiled areas as needed.
• Do not use ammonia or ammonia products. Alkaline cleaners may cause strong yellowing and color changes.
• Do not use oil soap or oil soap products.
• Do not wax a urethane floor.
• Do not use rubber, foam-back or plastic mats as they may discolor floor.
• Do not wear spike or stiletto heeled shoes in rooms with wood or bamboo floors.  Such footwear can produce a dynamic load in excess of 1000 PSI, even when worn by a person of small or average build. Wearing a shoe in bad repair that has an exposed nail head can exert a force of 8,000 PSI, which is high enough to pulverize hardened concrete.  You are better off driving your car or walking an elephant on the floor.  The car has a load of 28 to 30 PSI and an elephant 50 to 100 PSI.