Courtesy of Carpet One

September 6, 2011   ·   By ServiceMaster   ·   No Comments   ·   Posted in Carpet Cleaning, News

HARDWOOD CARE & MAINTENANCE

Hardwood care and maintenance is important for preserving the beauty of your wood floors. Like any floor covering, real wood floors will show signs of wear over time, depending on the size and lifestyle of your family. But by observing a few precautions, and using the cleaning and hardwood floor maintenance program recommended by the manufacturer, you can expect years of beauty from your wood floor.

HARDWOOD CARE

Hardwood floor care requires that you never clean or mop your wood floor 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 cleaners that contain lemon oil, tung oil, or ammonia as this may damage your floor and result in a loss of warranty.

Water can dull the finish and permanently damage the floor. To help eliminate fine particles of dirt and grit that act like sandpaper and will scratch any floor, vacuum or sweep daily. The vacuum head must be a felt or brush type. Be certain that the wheels of the vacuum are clean and do not damage the finish. DO NOT USE A VACUUM WITH A BEATER BAR HEAD.

HARDWOOD MAINTENANCE

For hardwood floor maintenance, remove spills promptly using a soft cloth and cleaning products recommended by the manufacturer. Be sure to keep pet nails trimmed and paws clean and free of dirt, gravel, grease, oil, and stains. Place protective pads beneath furniture legs to reduce scratches and dents. Use a dolly and protective sheets of plywood when moving heavy objects, furniture, or appliances. Some objects may be too heavy to move across a hardwood floor under any circumstances.

Certain types of casters on furniture may damage wood flooring.  Barrel-type wheels (a minimum 1″ continuous width is recommended) or wide, flat glides are best for hardwood floor care and protection.

A humidifier is recommended to prevent excessive shrinkage of wood floors due to low humidity levels. 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.

Exposure to the sun and its UV rays accelerates the oxidation and aging of wood and fabrics. This causes the stain and/or wood to fade and/or change color. It is recommended that you rearrange rugs and furniture periodically so the floor ages evenly.

Remove shoes with spiked or damaged heels before walking on the floor. Spike or stiletto high-heel shoes may cause denting and related damage to wood floors due to the extremely high compressive force they generate. Such footwear can produce dynamic loads in excess of 1000 pounds per square inch, even when worn by someone of slight or average build.

As added protection, use dirt-trapping walk-off mats at all exterior doors to keep sand, dirt, grit, grease, and oil off your floor.

By following these recommendations for hardwood care and maintenance, your floors will remain beautiful for a long time.

General Terms and Conditions may apply, see warranty section for details.  Call your local ServiceMaster Clean to make an appointment for your hardwood floors or visit www.smparkellis.com today!