How to Take Care of Hardwood Floors in Bakersfield, CA

The first thing you’ll notice when shopping for new flooring is the many material options available. Among others, there’s carpet, tile, stone, vinyl, fabricated wood and real wood, all of which have their benefits and drawbacks. But the right flooring option for you depends on a few factors, including the rooms you want to install it in, the climate in the area where you live, your budget and your personal style. Let’s say you want hardwood floors—wood flooring can add value and comfort to most homes. It’s a beautiful material that requires more attention than other options, but regular care keeps the wood in good condition.

Learn how to preserve your wood flooring so you can enjoy it for years to come. Below, we’ve put together some tips to help you care for hardwood floors in Bakersfield, CA.

Weekly, monthly and annual care

Knowledge is key, whether you are the proud owner of a brand-new wood floor or are just looking for pointers for weekly, monthly and annual care:

• Early on: Before using any cleaning product on the wood, read the labels to make sure it is safe for your surfaces. Whether wax, oil or polyurethane, different finishes need different care. You should also add felt protectors to the bottoms of furniture legs. These are designed to protect wood floors from scratches and should push debris away if the legs slide along the floor. Check felt protectors regularly and replace them as needed. For extra protection, use rugs in high-traffic areas, and maybe even start enforcing a no-shoe policy.
• Weekly care: The best thing you can do for your wood floors is to dry clean first to prevent dirt from scratching the surface. Gritty debris on wet mops can be like dragging sandpaper across the wood!
• Monthly care: At least once a month you should inspect your floors closely for shiny spots and changes in color. Make sure to peek under area rugs, too. If you find any discoloration, it may be time for a fresh topcoat.
• Yearly care: The condition of natural wood floors will be affected by the environment. While small gaps showing between planks during dry seasons is a normal occurrence, don’t ignore wood that doesn’t shrink back when it’s humid outside. Use a humidifier to help the indoor environment during dry seasons and avoid extreme gaps.

Future maintenance

Keeping up with routine maintenance year after year is the key to preserving hardwood floors. Here are the top tasks you should do going forward:

• Clean and coat: In about three to five years, deep clean your floors and add a fresh topcoat. Apply the same type of finish already on your floors (wax, oil, urethane) to keep them healthy and looking good.
• Pick up furniture: When moving furniture of any size, resist the urge to slide the piece across your wood floors. Find someone to help you lift and move it.
• Refinish: Solid wood floors benefit from sanding and refinishing every few decades, but no more than five to 10 times during their lifetime.

Call All American Carpet Inc. today for more information about caring for your hardwood floors in Bakersfield, CA!

Categorised in: Hardwood Flooring