Hardwood & Laminate Care & Maintenance
Come in to our large Chicago hardwood flooring showroom and see what we have to offer.
Sweep or Vacuum Daily
Frequently sweep or vacuum with soft attachments to remove loose dirt and soil. Make sure the wheels of your vacuum are clean. Do not use a vacuum with a beater bar head.
No water
Never clean or wet mop your hardwood floors with water. Do not use any wax or cleaner that must be mixed with water such as oil soap or paste wax products or other household cleaner that contains lemon oil, tung oil or ammonia, as this may damage your floor. Water can dull the finish and permanently damage the floor. Promptly remove spills using a soft cloth and cleaning products recommended by the manufacturer.
Prevent Scratches and Dents
The most important thing you can do to minimize scratching is to regularly sweep or vacuum your floor to remove dirt. Also, placement of walk-off mats at all doors will be helpful. Removing all high heels or spiked shoes is a must. To minimize scratching be sure to keep pet nails trimmed and paws as clean as possible. Place protective pads beneath furniture legs to reduce scratches and dents. When moving furniture, use a dolly or protective sheets of plywood. Some objects may be too heavy to move across a hardwood floor under any circumstances. Certain types of casters on furniture may damage hardwood flooring. We recommend barrel-type with a minimum of 1 inch width or wide, flat glides to protect your floor. If you have an area rug, a pad will help protect your floors from scratching.
Control Humidity Levels
Expansion and contraction of wood floors can be expected as humidity levels change. In order to minimize such movement, a humidifier is recommended. Wood stoves and electric heat tend to cause very dry conditions. In damp conditions, proper humidity levels can be maintained with an air conditioner or dehumidifier, or by periodically turning on your heating system during periods of high humidity in the summer months. Humidity should be maintained between 30% and 50% year round.
Sunlight Accelerates Oxidation
Exposure to the sun and its UV rays accelerates oxidation and aging of wood. This causes the stain and/or wood to fade or to change color. This is more evident with certain types of woods, such as cherry. Such fading can be lessened by keeping shades and blinds closed. We recommend that you rotate furniture and rugs periodically so your floor ages evenly.
Teragren® Bamboo Floor Care Guide
