How to Maintain Your Hardwood
Regular maintenance requires little more than sweeping with a soft bristle broom, and vacuuming with a soft floor attachment if your wood floor includes a beveled edge that could collect debris. Oil soaps should not be used to clean the floors. Excessive grit and foot traffic may affect appearance. A properly finished and maintained wood floor does not accumulate hidden soil or odorous compounds. You also should clean your floors periodically with a professional wood floor cleaning product recommended by a wood flooring professional. The best suggestion is to use the manufacturer’s recommended cleaning products such as Armstrong Hardwood and Laminate Cleaner.
Immediately Clean Up Spills
Inevitably, accidents will happen and you’ll find yourself starting to panic. Well, stop panicing and start cleaning! The longer a spill stays on your hardwood floor, the more it will soak into the wood and cause lasting damage.
To clean up a spill on hardwood flooring, use a dry cloth. Avoid using pressure as you soak up the spill; this will only rub it deeper into the wood. Instead, allow the cloth to absorb the spilled liquid. Rinse your cloth frequently, and wring out excess moisture before returning to the spill. Once the spilled liquid has been sopped up, use another dry, clean cloth to thoroughly dry the area. If a sticky residue lingers, use a damp mop to clean it off, and follow up with another dry, clean cloth. The key is to take the spill off the floor and get it dry as soon as possible.