Trends in what is popular in a home change over time. One timeless trend that is coming back into style is natural hardwood floors. Some people may feel that their hardwood floors are no longer up to snuff, so think that it might be their best option to cover it up with some new carpeting. That is certainly not the case. Taking advantage of the natural beauty of hardwood floors is something that does not have to cost a fortune and can make your home look its best. There are a few things that you can do to improve the look of your floors.
- Keep the floor clean by using a Swiffer or vacuuming it often to keep the dust off. Reaching for a mop and water-bucket is a big no-no. Use cleaners that are specifically for wood. Murphy’s oil soap is one such brand that is intended to be used on wood surfaces. Following the instructions can help you find your way to a beautiful shine without having to pay a professional. If your hardwood floor has a polyurethane finish, a DIY method is using one quart water and one-quarter cup vinegar to mop.
- Not only is it important to not use straight water to clean your hardwood floors, but think about the water that is tracked into your home during wet weather. Having a boot scraper outside your door, and a boot tray inside can help to protect your floors from water and mud.
- Children can be tough on hardwood floors, and gum is one of those substances that can be frustrating to deal with if it is dropped. The same trick used for getting gum out of a kid’s hair or clothing can be used for your hardwood floors. Ice cubes. Put them in a plastic bag to protect the floor itself from getting wet, and let it harden the gum. Then use a flat surface to remove the hardened gum, such as a plastic kitchen spatula. Take your time to prevent additional scratches. Then follow up with your wood cleaning regime.
- Worried over scuff marks on your hardwood floor from your family? Instead of trying to scrape up the offending mark, it can be better to rub the scuff with a soft cloth like a sock. For older wood floors that were not treated with urethane, it can be possible to apply floor wax with a fine steel wool pad. Testing it in a small area first can be a good idea for any project.
- Think of ways that your floor gets damaged on a daily basis and work to avoid it. Use moving pads when rearranging your furniture to prevent scratches. Regular trimmings can help keep Fido from scratching the floors. Throw rugs can be great accent pieces that help to protect the natural wood floor.
- In addition, regular maintenance is vital to the shine of your floor. Floors that have been waxed should have floor wax applied once or twice a year. Whenever there are spills on your hardwood floor, it is essential to wipe it up immediately with a paper towel. These areas might need to be buffed with a soft cloth.
These little extras might take some time getting used to doing, but will make your floors shine into the future.