The Allure of Great Flooring

The elegance and quality of timber flooring speak for themselves. When well-maintained, you'll enjoy a clean, authentic and warm feeling whenever you enter the home. But that means they need to be maintained.

Many homeowners mistakenly carry out poor maintenance practices that result in a damaged or dull floor surface. Luckily, the following tips will help you get more life from your timber floors while retaining their original lustre.

1. Use a soft-bristled broom

Sweeping is perhaps the most common maintenance tip for timber floors. You should strive to sweep your floors at least once a day, because dirt and debris may accumulate on the surface and make the floors appear dull.

Lots of dirt is also harder to remove from your floors. However, avoid using brooms that have sharp or abrasive bristles. Straw is a common culprit of floor marks, as are metallic-based bristles. These shouldn't be used even if your floor is newly polished.

Rubber bristles are a softer and more reliable option for timber flooring. They glide smoothly along the surface and can capture dust, pet hairs and other debris more effectively.  

2. Dust-trapping mops also work well

Along with a daily sweep, you should also mop your floors at least once a week. A fresh mop removes spills, stains and other materials that may affect the authentic look of your flooring.

But as opposed to using a traditional wet rag, consider purchasing a dust-trapping mop. These mops contain electrostatic forces to attract dust particles. You can effectively remove dirt that piles underneath furniture and other hard-to-reach places.

3. Mops with a soft bottom layer

You should also consider handheld sweeper mops that have a soft and smooth bottom surface. These mops work by soaking up and removing tough stains, spills and foul odours from your timber floors. The mop comes with scented fabrics that glide across the floor to remove germs and spread a fresh aroma.

4. Buffer your furniture

As you clean, you may find yourself needing to move your couch, table, chairs and other items. Make sure you don't drag these items across the floor. An even better step is to buffer the legs of heavy furniture by adding a soft, non-abrasive material. 

5. Vacuum hard-to-reach corners

Vacuum cleaners are not just for carpets. They can also work well on timber flooring, as long as you use the right settings. Ideally, you should set the vacuum cleaner to suck up dirt and debris without grinding against the delicate floor. Ensure that your vacuum is set to work on bare floors, and target hidden corners or other hard-to-reach places.

For more information, reach out to a business that works with timber floors.