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Hardwood floors require special care to keep them in beautiful conditions. Many people choose hard floors because they believe it is easier to care for them than carpets. This can be true, but it depends on the materials of which the floor is made.
A few definitions first. A hardwood floor can be made from many different kinds of wood. Oak is the wood of choice because it is hard and attractively grained. Maple, walnut, and teak are also popular, but more expensive than oak. Softer woods such as pine are sometimes used in areas that are not as frequently seen. Soft woods are more easily dented and scratched.
Wood is porous and absorbent, which makes them especially susceptible to water damage. Anyone cleaning the floor must avoid alkaline substances such as sudsy cleaners or ammonia as they can cause dark spots. If the dark spots appear, they can be removed with vinegar applications.
There are many ways that wood can be laid on a floor. Parquet floors are made of wood tiles, often of different colors, that are laid in a geometric pattern or mosaic. They are usually oak or maple. Wood block floors are shaped like butcher block surfaces and also come in tiles. Plank floors are long strips of wood that are fitted together to make a smooth appearance.
Regular cleaning and finishing of hardwood floors will help them retain their appearance and durability.
Before starting to clean, you should gather all the equipment you will need. This may include a broom or dust mop, a dustpan, floor wax, a cloth, and a buffer machine with pads.
Clear the floor of movable furniture or other items. Sweep or dust-mop the area. By removing all loose dirt before waxing, you are preventing dirty wax buildup. Do not use water to clean the floors. Water on wood floors can damage the wood and cause wax to turn milky white. If you have a white spot caused by water, you can remove it by rubbing a small amount of mineral spirits into the spot with a fine (#000) steel wool.
You should also be careful not to over-treat mops because the chemical on the mop head will transfer to the floor. This can create a haze or dulling effect and may even destroy the finish. Mop heads come in a variety of natural or synthetic fibers. If you think there is too much chemical on the mop head, soak it in water for 30 minutes before using it. It also helps to soak new mop heads to get rid of any sizing chemicals they have.
Most hardwood floor care experts recommend sweeping or dust-mopping on a daily basis. Dirt particles on a floor can scratch the surface when you or others walk on it.
Waxing also strengthens wood surfaces and other porous floor materials. The most efficient way to wax a floor is through buffing or burnishing.
Buffing involves spraying the floor with a polishing solution and buffing the floor with a rotary floor machine. Check the electrical cords on the buffer machine and make sure the cords are untangled and free of damage. Attach a buffer pad to the buffer machine and work small amounts of wax into the buffer machine pad with your fingers or a cloth. Buff the floor until it shines.
Burnishing is a slightly newer method of cleaning floors. It is similar to buffing, except that it is a dry method. It also uses a rotary floor machine, but it uses a faster rotation on the machine head.
If there are stains on the floor, you will need to do the following:
„h Identify the stain and determine how to treat it.
„h Remove solid particles with a hand-held scraper, being careful not to scratch or gouge the floor.
„h Use a wet vacuum on large wet stains.
„h Spot-test the stain remover and apply it according to the manufacturer¡¦s direction.
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