| These are some of my best tips if you need to | | | | fingerprints and the shine will have a smudged |
| know how to clean your hardwood floors and | | | | appearance. But worst of all these cleaners usually |
| how to best take care of them and not damage | | | | contain kerosene which will hurt most finishes and |
| them in the process. These will help you whether | | | | exposure to it is not good for your health. |
| you have hardwood floors now or plan to get | | | | When wood furniture is exposed to ultraviolet |
| them soon, either by DIY (doing-it-yourself) or by | | | | rays from sunlight it will become damaged as time |
| installing using a hardwood floor contractor. | | | | goes by and the same is true for hardwood |
| It doesn't matter what type of hardwood you | | | | floors. To avoid this you can tint the windows to |
| have - exotic, oak, maple, cherry, Brazilian cherry, | | | | stop the UV rays from shining on the flooring. |
| etc., to remove surface dirt, vacuuming is the | | | | If your floors need waxing just a thin coat of |
| easiest and best way to start. If pollutants are | | | | wax is best. If you put on a coat that is too thick |
| sticking to the surface, such as smoke, you can | | | | it won't dry evenly. This will leave a finish that is |
| remove them by rubbing the surface carefully | | | | spotty. |
| with a slightly wet cloth. You can dampen the | | | | When you wax your hardwood floors, a hard, |
| cloth with water or use commercial furniture | | | | waterproof wax is usually recommended. |
| cleaner but make sure to test a corner of the | | | | Waterproof wax will prevent the white ring |
| wood with the product you'll be using so that you | | | | problem. If you've ever placed a water pail or |
| don't damage it. | | | | other container on a hardwood floor and it left a |
| Commercial cleaners are generally water-based. | | | | white ring, it's because the water or moisture |
| They usually contain degreasers besides the | | | | penetrated below the wax and it actually breaks |
| cleansers. These are used for hardwood floors | | | | the bond with the hardwood surface. Waterproof |
| and for wood furniture and are usually safe for | | | | wax will prevent this from happening. |
| people but use gloves to protect your hands. And | | | | You only want to wax hardwood floors once a |
| be careful about breathing any fumes that are | | | | year or so. Make sure to apply just a little bit of |
| emitted from the hardwood floor cleaners. Use | | | | wax because a buildup of wax is messy and |
| good ventilation too. | | | | difficult to remove. You want to choose a paste |
| If your cleaner is oil-based it will be flammable. If | | | | wax instead of a liquid wax because it will contain |
| you choose to use the oil-based cleaner, after | | | | more wax. |
| you finish, be sure to soak the rags in water and | | | | With these tips you will know what to do to help |
| put them outside in a fire-proof container such as | | | | preserve your hardwood floors and most |
| metal, away from your house and any wooden | | | | importantly what to avoid so you won't damage |
| structure. | | | | them. There are still other tips that you can use |
| Try not to use any hardwood floor cleaners that | | | | to help preserve your flooring or help you decide |
| contain silicone. The silicone will give a smooth | | | | what flooring to get whether you already have |
| finish but you will not be able to refinish the | | | | hardwood floors or are thinking about putting in |
| hardwood floor in the future even if the original | | | | hardwood floors yourself or through a hardwood |
| coating is stripped off. Also lemon oil cleaners | | | | floor contractor. |
| should not be used because they show | | | | |