How To Clean Prefinished Hardwood Floors?
Solid hardwood flooring is expensive, but at the same time, it has an appeal that no other flooring can provide! Added to that, its durability and longevity add up to its charm, and make it a valuable addition to your home. Prefinished and unfinished hardwood planks are the two options available if you want to install hardwood floors. In this blog, we will discuss these two flooring variants, and will also throw light on how to clean prefinished hardwood floors.
What is Prefinished Hardwood Flooring?
Prefinished hardwood flooring refers to those floor planks that come ready to be installed straight from the factory. It’s already sanded, stained, and coated with protective finishes, saving you time and hassle during installation.
With various wood species, colors, and finishes available, prefinished hardwood flooring offers convenience and durability, making it a popular choice for homeowners looking for stylish and hassle-free flooring options.
What is Unfinished Flooring?
Unfinished wood flooring is like a blank canvas waiting for your personal touch. Unlike prefinished flooring, it hasn’t been treated or coated with finishes before installation.
This means you have the freedom to customize it with your choice of stains and finishes to achieve the exact look you want for your space. It’s a DIY enthusiast’s dream come true!
Cleaning A Prefinished Wood Flooring- Best Practices
Coming back to the topic, let’s look at some of the best practices for cleaning and maintaining prefinished hardwood floors-
Sweeping It Daily
One of the best ways to keep wood flooring from scratches and dents is to not let too much dust and dirt settle on the surface. So, use a soft-bristle broom or a microfiber dust mop to sweep the floor surface daily.
Damp Mopping For A Better Outcome
Along with sweeping, you must also choose to dry-mop your floors daily, giving special attention to every nook and corner where dust and dirt build-up is at maximum. Using microfiber mops puts you at an advantage as the material can trap microdust particles effectively.
Vacuuming Once A Week
Every once a week, when it’s time to vacuum your floors, grab a vacuum cleaner that doesn’t have a beater bar. Those little bars can be trouble, potentially scratching your beautiful floors. Instead, opt for a gentler option. Vacuuming not only keeps your floors looking spick and span but also helps to banish any pesky dirt and dust that’s sneaked into the corners of your room.
Using A Dedicated Floor Cleaner
For the best results, aim to give your floor a good clean once a week using a cleaner designed specifically for your type of flooring. Using the right cleaner ensures that you’re giving your floor the care it deserves, helping to maintain its beauty and longevity over time. Plus, it makes the cleaning process a breeze!
What Should You Avoid Doing To The Floors?
In your quest for “how to clean prefinished hardwood floors”, what you need to avoid doing to your floors is also very important.
So, here are a few things that you should NOT be doing to the prefinished hardwood floors-
Don’t Use A Hard-Bristle Broom/ Brush
While sweeping/ vacuuming the floor, remember to avoid using a hard-bristle broom or brush. This makes the floor vulnerable to contract scratches and dents that might be noticeable and can damage the aesthetics completely.
Don’t Drag Furniture
Dragging heavy furniture across your prefinished wood floor can cause scratches or gouges, which nobody wants to see. To prevent this, lift your furniture instead of dragging it. If you must move heavy items, try using furniture pads or sliders to keep your floor looking its best.
Don’t Let Spills Sit For Long
Even though prefinished wood floors can handle moisture better than unfinished ones, it’s still important to keep them dry. Water sitting around or too much moisture can seep into the wood, leading to warping, swelling, or even mold. So, clean up spills right away and go easy on the wet mops to keep your floors in top shape!
Quick Note: No matter what kind of flooring you choose, maintenance plays a major role in keeping the floor condition optimal. If you want to learn more about how to clean prefinished hardwood floors or how to maintain them for better longevity, seeking the help of a professional like Almahdi Wood Flooring Solution is the best solution.
FAQs
Now, let’s look at some of the commonly asked questions that people seek answers to
Are prefinished hardwood floors more durable than unfinished ones?
Answer: Yep, prefinished hardwood floors are usually tougher than unfinished ones. They get extra protection at the factory with coatings like polyurethane, which makes them more resistant to damage and everyday wear. So, if you’re all about durability, prefinished floors are usually your best bet!
How long do prefinished hardwood floors typically last?
Answer: Prefinished hardwood floors can stick around for decades if you take good care of them. Usually, they’ll look great for 20 to 30 years or even more! Just remember, how much foot traffic they get, your maintenance routine, and the environment they’re in can all play a role in how long they last.
Can I refinish prefinished hardwood floors if they become damaged or worn?
Answer: Absolutely! You can refinish prefinished hardwood floors if they get damaged or worn. However, keep in mind that prefinished floors have a thinner layer of finish compared to site-finished ones, so the refinishing process may require extra care to avoid damaging the wood.