Inviting people over for the holidays? One of the things that will first get their attention is your floor. Impress your guests by following these tips:
Keep dirt off every day
Sweep, vacuum, or dust mop daily to remove dirt that can cause scratches and wear down the finish of the floor. Don’t forget to look under area rugs that can trap grit that will scratch floors. Source: TheSpruce
Make it shine
Like any good manicure, regular buffing and polishing will keep your hardwood floor shiny and healthy.
- For polishing, start in the corner of the room and pour an S-shaped amount of floor polish right onto the wood floor. Use a flat-surface mop and go back and forth along the wood grain. Work on small patches at a time until finished.
- For buffing, start by hand and only consider an electric buffing machine for large and significantly worn pieces of wood. Start by rubbing brass wool over any damaged areas until the scratch or ding levels out. Next, polish the area using the above method. Finish with a buffing pad to make the floor nice and shiny. Source: Angi
Be sure to check the cracks for dirt
Older wood floors and poorly installed hardwood can have cracks between the boards that trap dirt and dust. The cracks can worsen during periods of low humidity when the wood dries out. Removing the dirt and debris that becomes trapped is easy but a bit time-consuming. Clean in small sections, starting at the far corner of the room and working your way out the door, so you can come back to where you left off if you can’t do the entire room at once.
Combine 2 cups warm water and 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar. Dip a soft-bristled toothbrush in the solution and shake until just damp. Gently scrub the cracks and then wipe away the debris with a soft cloth or vacuum it up with a handheld vac or a vacuum with a crevice tool. Dust mop and clean the floor as usual. Source: RealSimple
Noticed any chips on your hardwood floors? Give us a call! We’ll get them sorted before your holiday parties start.
