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Spring Refresh: A Guide to Residential Deep Cleaning

By Carpet Cleaning, Deep Cleaning, Floor Cleaning, Furniture Cleaning, Natural Stone Cleaning, Spring Cleaning, Tile and Grout, Upholstery Cleaning, Wood Floor Cleaning

As the vibrant colors of spring start to emerge, it’s the perfect time to rejuvenate your living space with a thorough residential deep cleaning. Winter can leave behind a trail of dirt, dust, and grime, making it essential to give your home a fresh start. Here, we delve into practical techniques for carpet care, tile and grout maintenance, hardwood floor revival, and upholstery cleaning.

Carpet Cleaning: A Fresh Start

  1. Regular maintenance: Establishing a routine of regular vacuuming is the foundation of carpet care. Consistent vacuuming removes surface debris and prevents dirt from embedding deep within the carpet fibers, preserving its longevity and appearance.
  2. Natural carpet freshener: Say goodbye to synthetic air fresheners and opt for a natural alternative. Create a delightful carpet freshener by combining baking soda with a few drops of your favorite essential oil. Sprinkle this mixture liberally over your carpets, allowing it to sit for at least 15 minutes before vacuuming. The result is a cleaner carpet and a home infused with a subtle, natural fragrance.
  3. Stain spotting: Accidents happen, but dealing with stains promptly is key. Mix a small amount of mild dish soap with water to create a gentle cleaning solution. To stop the discoloration from spreading, use a clean cloth to delicately dab the area, starting from the edges and working your way inwards.

RELATED ARTICLE: The Long-Tern Benefits of Professional Carpet Cleaning

Tile and Grout: Restoring Brilliance

  1. Vinegar solution: Grout lines can lose brilliance over time due to accumulated dirt and grime. A simple solution of equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle can work wonders. Spray the solution onto the grout, let it sit for a few minutes, and then scrub with a grout brush. The result is a refreshed and brighter appearance.
  2. Lemon and baking soda: For an all-natural and effective tile cleaner, combine baking soda with lemon juice to make a paste. Scrub the tiles carefully with the paste, and then wipe them clean. The natural acidity of lemon helps break down stains while baking soda provides a gentle abrasive action for a renewed shine.

RELATED ARTICLE: Is Bleach Bad for Grout?

Hardwood Floors: Unveil Timeless Elegance

  1. Gentle cleaning mixture: Preserve the timeless elegance of hardwood floors with a mild cleaning solution. Combine water with a small amount of pH-neutral dish soap, dampen a mop, and ensure it is well-wrung before cleaning the floors. This approach ensures that your hardwood maintains its natural beauty without the risk of excess moisture.
  2. Tea solution for shine: Brew a pot of black tea, let it cool, and use it to mop your hardwood floors. The tannins in tea add a subtle sheen to the wood while providing a protective layer. This natural method not only cleans but enhances the luster of your hardwood floors.

RELATED ARTICLE: From Sweeping to Mopping: How to Properly Clean Wood Floors

Upholstery Cleaning: Rejuvenate Your Furniture

  1. Fabric brush: For routine care, invest in a fabric brush to gently remove surface dust and prevent it from settling into the fabric. Regular brushing keeps your furniture looking fresh and helps maintain the fabric’s texture.
  2. Vacuum with care: Utilize your vacuum’s upholstery attachment to clean fabric surfaces. Pay attention to crevices and corners, where dirt tends to accumulate. This simple step ensures a thorough cleaning, leaving your upholstery looking and feeling revitalized.

RELATED ARTICLE: 5 Tips to Get the Most Out of Upholstery Cleaning Services

Welcome Spring 2024 with a Refreshed Home

As spring blossoms, take the opportunity to refresh your living space with a deep cleaning. You can embrace the season with a rejuvenated home by incorporating these techniques for carpet care, tile and grout maintenance, hardwood floor revival, and upholstery refreshment.

For a truly transformative experience, consider reaching out to Professional Surface Restoration. Our dedicated team of experts is equipped with the knowledge and tools needed to breathe new life into your home. Say goodbye to winter blues and hello to a fresh, vibrant living space.

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From Sweeping to Mopping: How to Properly Clean Wood Floors

By Wood Floor Cleaning

Wood flooring is a classic choice for both homes and businesses because it gives your space a more natural look. Whether you are a homeowner or a business owner, this blog can help you keep your wood floors clean and beautiful.

Let’s dive in…

How Often Should You Clean Your Wood Floors?

The amount of foot traffic in your home will affect how frequently you should clean your wood flooring. Clean the floor as frequently as necessary by sweeping or vacuuming to shield the wood’s surface from dings and damage.

Spills and stains should be cleaned up right away to keep them from settling into the wood’s surface. Deep clean the floor once or twice a year using a specialized wood floor cleaner or a mild soap solution.

Avoid using abrasive cleansers that damage the wood surface. You may opt to hire professional cleaning services like Professional Surface Restoration for this job.

RELATED ARTICLE: 10 Different Natural Stine Stains and How to Remove Them

Knowing the Different Types of Wood Flooring

Familiarize yourself with the type of wood you have to see which cleaning materials and methods work best. Here are the types of wood flooring commonly used in properties.

Solid Hardwood Flooring 

This flooring is built from solid hardwood pieces such as oak, maple, or cherry, giving it a conventional, vintage appearance that can be repeatedly sanded and restored.

Engineered Hardwood Flooring 

Wood veneer is assembled in layers and put together to create sturdy and moisture-resistant flooring. Some homeowners may confuse it with solid hardwood because they look similar.

Bamboo Flooring 

Bamboo grass — a sustainable and environmentally-friendly material — is made for this flooring. It resembles hardwood in appearance but is tougher and longer-lasting.

Cork Flooring

Cork oak is soft and robust, making it comfortable to walk on, and it is also environmentally beneficial.

Laminate Flooring

This flooring is made from layers of synthetic materials that are meant to look like hardwood. Compared to hardwood, it is less expensive, more durable, and simpler to maintain.

Luxury Vinyl Flooring

This sort of flooring is a wonderful option for bathrooms and high-traffic areas because it is incredibly resilient and water-resistant.

RELATED ARTICLE: The Ultimate Post-Construction Clean-Up Checklist

What Do You Need To Clean Wood Flooring?

Homeowners can use different tools meant for specific wood flooring that are available on the market. Here are some cleaning items you may want to look for:

  • Broom
  • Vacuum
  • Microfiber mop
  • Soft cloths or towels
  • Wood floor cleaner

Always choose high-quality brands to avoid re-purchasing, and for effective cleaning.

Tips and Tricks to Easily Clean Wood Floors

With a few tricks, you can make the cleaning process easier and more efficient. Here are some life hacks to easily clean your wood floors:

Use a Rubber Broom

A rubber broom’s bristles create static electricity that attracts and picks up hair, fur, and dust.

Use Vinegar and Water

Vinegar helps to remove dirt and grime from the surface of the wood, leaving it looking clean and shiny.

Mix equal parts vinegar and water, dampen a microfiber cloth with the solution, and then use the cloth to clean the floor.

Use Furniture Pads

Placed furniture pads under the legs of chairs, tables, and other furniture, so it’s easier to move when cleaning. Furniture pads also prevent scratches and dents on the wood surface.

RELATED ARTICLE: Health Hazards Hidden in Dirty Tile and Grout

Hire Professional Surface Restoration

If you’re looking to have wood floors cleaned in the Holland, Ohio, area, then you can always turn to Professional Surface Restoration. We serve both residential homeowners and owners of commercial properties. We’ll make it possible to have a floor that appears shiny and new, regardless of how long it’s been on your property.

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How To Keep Wood Floors in Good Condition?

By Wood Floor Cleaning

There’s no denying the beauty and timelessness of wood floors. However, this beauty also comes at a price. Hardwood floors have to deal with the changing weather, water spills, dirt, harsh chemicals, and other substances that might harm them. Luckily, there are ways to get your floor back to its original condition. The upkeep will require some effort on your end, but it will all be worth it in the end.

Read more to learn about keeping your wood floors in good condition.

Why Is It Important to Maintain Wood Floors?

Like other surfaces in your house, wood floors can accumulate dirt, debris, and dust if left uncleaned. While this may look like a minor issue at first, accumulated dirt will eventually damage your whole flooring. Since these floors are not properly maintained and cleaned, the dirt may scratch and damage your flooring, slowly deteriorating it from the inside. The extent of the damage may require you to shell out more cash for an expensive restoration.

RELATED ARTICLE: How to Remove Rust Stains from Concrete

Tips on How to Maintain Good Wood Floor Condition

Below are some tips to help you keep your wood floor in mint condition:

Clean and Vacuum Regularly

Don’t wait for dirt and dust to accumulate. It’s best to clean or wipe away dust regularly if you want your wood floor to last longer. Use a vacuum cleaner or a dry or slightly damp cloth to wipe spills and eliminate dust.

Remember that using steam or wet mops is a bad idea for wood floors. These can cause faster deterioration and may retain moisture within the wood. This can cause the wood to shrink or swell, disfiguring it and causing gapping and splitting of the wood.

Remove and Clean Spills Immediately

Clean dirt and spills as soon as possible. Do not wait for moisture to dry or seep into the crevices of your wood floor. As mentioned previously, moisture is not ideal for wood floors. This can damage the wood fast and cause almost irreparable cracks that can be expensive to repair.

Use Furniture Pads

No matter how careful you are, scratches may occur on wood floors. You can prevent this by adding furniture pads to the legs of tables, chairs, and sofas, among others. These pieces of furniture are the main culprits for wood floor scratches, but they’re preventable if you use furniture pads.

Professionally Deep Clean Regularly

Some dirt and scratches can be almost impossible to deal with — but not for professionals. Wood floors dull with age, and restoring them to their natural beauty will require the help of professional wood floor cleaners.

RELATED ARTICLE: Tips for Cleaning Your Granite Countertop

Keep Your Wooden Floors Spick and Span

If you’re around Toledo, Ohio, and are looking for professionals who can clean and restore your wood floors, contact us or give us a call at (419) 705-8693. We offer free demonstrations if you want to experience an unmatched professional surface restoration.

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Advantages of Hiring a Professional to Clean Your Wood Floors

By Commercial Cleaning Services, Commercial Floors, Residential Cleaning Services, Wood Floor Cleaning

It can be tempting to clean wood floors on your own—after all, getting in touch with a professional cleaner can seem like an unnecessary hassle. However, professional wood cleaning is anything but unnecessary. If you have wood floors in your home or commercial property, you could benefit from hiring a professional to handle cleaning.

If you aren’t convinced, here are the top reasons to hire a wood floor cleaning professional today.

Professionals Have the Right Tools

Not everyone has the right tools just lying around their house. In many instances, such as removing indentations or deep marks from your floors, professional equipment will be necessary to get the job done. If you try to clean wood floors without the correct equipment, you run the risk of causing even more damage.

RELATED ARTICLE: 10 Different Natural Stine Stains and How to Remove Them

Your Floors Will Be Safe and Protected

A professional floor cleaner understands how to keep your floors protected, minimizing the risk of damage. Not only will they use the correct tools, but your floor cleaner will also know to take key variables into account, such as the coatings or finishes that were applied to your wood floors. These details could impact the steps your cleaner takes to keep your floors safe.

Hiring a Professional Saves You Time

Cleaning wood floors can be a time-consuming job—especially if you’re doing it regularly and lack the experience to work efficiently. So, rather than treating it as a weekly chore, hand over the job to a skilled professional.

RELATED ARTICLE: The Ultimate Post-Construction Clean-Up Checklist

Your Wood Floors Will Last a Longer Time

The techniques and supplies used to clean a wood floor can impact how long that floor lasts—use the right ones, and you can clean your floor thoroughly while avoiding damage. Professional floor cleanings can also allow you to stop dirt, grime, and grit from building up and wearing away at your wood floor’s finish.

Totally Removes Contaminants, Germs, and Bacteria

You might be surprised by the number of contaminants that can build up on your wood floors. For instance, pollen, dust mites, and pet dander are all contaminants that can take a toll on your health.

RELATED ARTICLE: Health Haxards Hidden in Dirty Tile and Grout

Hire Professional Surface Restoration

If you’re looking to have wood floors cleaned in the Holland, Ohio, area, then you can always turn to Professional Surface Restoration. We serve both residential homeowners and owners of commercial properties. We’ll make it possible to have a floor that appears shiny and new, regardless of how long it’s been on your property.

You can get in contact with us through our online contact form—then, you’re one step closer to spotless wood floors, without the work you’re used to putting in.

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Keep Your Floors Looking Great After the Holidays

By Carpet Cleaning, Deep Cleaning, Holiday Cleaning, Natural Stone Cleaning, Residential Cleaning Services, Tile and Grout, Wood Floor Cleaning

The holidays are a truly special time of year. Between parties and family gatherings, movie nights by the fire, and hot cocoa, December is many people’s favorite month for a good reason.

When it comes to your flooring, however, the holidays can be catastrophic.

From bringing a tree into the house to snow and mud, extra guests, as well as food and drink spills, your flooring probably looks less than ideal by the time the New Year rolls around. It doesn’t have to be this way.

With a few of these tricks, you can keep your floors looking pristine no matter what holiday activities you had.

Purchase a Shoe and Boot Tray

Placing a shoe and boot tray by the door is the first step to clean floors. No matter how careful you and your family are, boots always come into the house with some moisture left on them. Without a shoe tray, this moisture spreads all over your entryway, and it’s easy to track around the home from there. This water can carry dirt, snow, and salt, all of which are damaging to flooring of all kinds. With a boot tray’s raised sides, the moisture is contained to the silicone of the mat, and you avoid flooring mishaps.

RELATED ARTICLE: Steam Carpet Cleaning vs. Dry: What’s Best

Put Felt Pads on Your Furniture

For hardwood and vinyl of all kinds, putting felt pads on the legs of your furniture can extend the life of your floors. These pads are inexpensive, easy to apply, and keep your furniture from scraping the floor when it inevitably moves around. Especially with guests or extra family members around, furniture shifts quite a bit. Avoid creating permanent damage (and make furniture quieter, too) with sticky felt padding.

Regular Upkeep

Especially during the busy holidays, it’s important to make sure that you’re keeping up with your home’s regular floor cleaning. Mopping and vacuuming regularly keep corrosive substances off your floor and extend its life. This especially applies in terms of spills and accidents during the holidays. Be sure to clean any messes as soon as they happen to avoid long-term staining or damage as much as possible.

RELATED ARTICLE: Five Myths about Steam Carpet Cleaning Debunked

Pre-Schedule Professional Carpet Cleaning

It’s always a good idea to get your carpets professionally cleaned at least twice a year. Pre-scheduling an appointment for right after the holidays ensures any dirt or stains don’t sit too long before being cleaned and gives your floor a nice lift going into 2021. .

For the best floor cleaning services in the Toledo area, contact Professional Surface Restoration. We’ll have your floors looking tip-top this holiday season and beyond.

Flooring Red Flags a Potential Buyer Will Notice

By Carpet Cleaning, Concrete Cleaning, Deep Cleaning, Natural Stone Cleaning, Tile and Grout, Wood Floor Cleaning

flooring red flagsOne of the first things potential home buyers notice when going through a house is the condition of the floors. Since the floor is such a large area that will draw the attention of any buyer, if it has cracks, mold, mildew, or other flaws it may cost the realtor a sale. Identify these flooring red flags before a home buyer does.

Seek professional help from a professional hard surface and floor cleaning company to be certain that the floors don’t keep you from making the sale.

  1. Dirt and Filth

Perhaps the most obvious sign of a neglected floor that will turn off any potential buyer is the general filth, grime, and dirt stuck to a floor’s surface. These range from larger and noticeable stains to small pieces of debris stuck in corners or hidden by rugs, or other items. This red flag is particularly noticeable in tile and grout floors, which may require pressure water cleaning to get them in much better shape.

  1. Water Damaged Floors

Another noticeable red flag of poor floor maintenance is water damage. This type of damage manifests in numerous ways, from saggy or marked floors, to the presence of mold, mildew, and even some cracks and damage. Mold and mildew present a health hazard to any potential home buyer. Also, water damage is usually an indication of a larger problem, such as defective plumbing or possible flooding. Once you resolve the plumbing issue in the house, you will need to call a professional floor cleaning service to get rid of these unsightly features and restore the floor to a better condition.

  1. Smelly Carpets

The final significant floor issue that can drive away potential buyers is the odor that comes from soiled carpets. This smell is usually a red flag that the carpet is old and needs to be deep cleaned or, at worst case, replaced. If the carpet is relatively new, it might need a professional cleaning treatment that includes steaming and a special cleaning formula. Even if it doesn’t smell, deep clean clean the carpet anyway, since it can hold on to allergens and other harmful agents that a cleansing can remove.

Prepare the house you are working on for a successful sale by making sure the floors are in pristine condition. The skilled crew at Professional Surface Restoration has the right equipment and years of experience to handle any type of floor situation.

No matter what type of floors are in your home, Professional Surface Restoration has a deep cleaning solution designed to increase the market value of your home without the need for replacement flooring.

Contact us online or call us at (419) 705-8693 to get started with a no-cost demonstration.

How to Safely Clean Wood Floors This Spring

By Wood Floor Cleaning

clean wood floorsWood flooring is a popular residential choice for several reasons, such as its flexibility and its ability to infuse a natural element into your home. There are several types of wood flooring, and each requires its own type of maintenance. It is important for homeowners to familiarize themselves with the specific type of wood flooring in their home, as well as how to clean wood floors and respective maintenance needs.

Cleaning Hardwood Floors

Hardwood floors are made from actual, authentic wood material. If you are unsure if your floor is made from hardwood, look for irregular patterns. In addition, hardwood can incur damages from impact, like scratches and dents. If this damage is common, your floor is probably hardwood.

The best way to clean hardwood floors depends on the floor’s finish.

  • Surface-sealed. If your floor doesn’t smudge easily, it is likely surface-sealed with polyacrylic, polyurethane, or urethane. Simply sweep with a broom and follow up with a mop damp with warm water and dish soap.
  • Penetrating seal or oil. If your floor smudges, it might be treated with these finishes. The broom and damp mop treatment applies, but you must occasionally treat them with paste or liquid wax.
  • Shellac, lacquer, or varnish. These floors also require additional treatment with liquid or paste wax, as well as traditional sweeping and damp mop cleaning.

Cleaning Laminate Floors

Laminate floors are not made from actual wood, but they imitate the texture and colors. Laminate floors have actual patterns and damage less easily, but they are more vulnerable to water. Also, laminate is more common in post-1960s homes.

The following are some general laminate floor cleaning tips.

  • Vacuum first before mopping, as it is more effective in getting rid of dust and debris. Use the lightest setting to avoid floor damage.
  • Use a damp mop with either water, a commercial cleaner specialized for laminate, or a homemade cleaner made from vinegar and water.
  • Avoid products like bleach, wax, or acrylic, since they can damage the finish.

General Tips for Wood Floor Cleaning

Whether you are cleaning hardwood or laminate floors, consider the following general cleaning tips.

  • Never use soaking wet mops, as excessive water damages the floors
  • Avoid steam cleaning on any type of wood floor
  • Replace the cleaning water often to avoid dirty water
  • Consult the floor’s manufacturer for recommended cleaning instructions

Are your wood floors in need of professional cleaning and restoration? Professional Surface Restoration can help you with that. Contact us today or call (419) 795-8693 to schedule a FREE, no-obligation demo.

How a Home’s Flooring Affects Market Value

By Carpet Cleaning, Concrete Cleaning, Deep Cleaning, Natural Stone Cleaning, Tile and Grout, Upholstery Cleaning, Wood Floor Cleaning

how home's flooring affect market valueIf you’re preparing to sell a home, chances are you’ve already identified several problem areas you’d like to tackle in order to increase the resale value. Drywall, paint, cabinet hardware, and flooring are all common areas for improvement. Flooring, in particular, is an area many realtors suggest deep cleaning or changing before sale to improve the overall market value of the home.

It can be tempting to rip out older carpet and invest in the hardwood that is so popular with today’s home buyers. Often, sellers elect to install cheap, new flooring instead of restoring their existing flooring – and they may do so at a cost they won’t recoup when it’s time to sell the home.

In many cases, it’s more cost effective to deep clean rather than replace.

Carpets

If existing carpet is still serviceable, it is likely better to keep and deep clean it than replace it with other carpeting. Prospective owners like hardwoods, but are often primarily looking for cleanliness and may even be calculating the amount of time left before they’ll need to replace your existing flooring with their own. It can be difficult to recoup the cost of new carpet in a home sale; it is often better to clean the carpet and offer a small allowance if the buyer asks.

Tile

Tile is the preferred flooring in bathrooms and kitchens. It can be expensive and time consuming to remove, particularly if it was installed correctly. After its removal, you also risk installing a flooring prospective buyers plan on tearing out anyway, and you may not recoup the costs of the new flooring.

To make the most of your current tile floor and increase the resale value, make sure it is clean. Invest in a service to deep clean the tile and the surrounding grout, as well as apply a sealant to ensure new stains don’t linger, and you’ll recoup the costs in the sale of your home.

Wood

Hardwood is the preferred choice of most home buyers in today’s market, but the wood needs to be in good condition. Otherwise, buyers will likely see nothing but mounting costs and time in order to refinish it. Instead of undertaking this time-consuming work yourself – or, worse, covering your wood floors with new carpeting – consider hiring a professional wood floor restoration service.

Your existing flooring will be buffed, cleaned, and resealed, and any discolorations or penetrating stains treated. Your floor will now have the look of a new wood floor, increasing the market value of your home without the cost of new flooring.

No matter what type of floors are in your home, Professional Surface Restoration has a deep cleaning solution designed to increase the market value of your home without the need for replacement flooring.

Call (419) 705-8693 to request a consultation and demo.

 

What to Clean Before Putting Your Home Up for Sale

By Carpet Cleaning, Concrete Cleaning, Deep Cleaning, Furniture Cleaning, Tile and Grout, Upholstery Cleaning, Wood Floor Cleaning

What to cleanSelling your home takes ample preparation, and not just in thinking about the financial aspects and figuring out where you’ll move to next. As you’re working on vacating your home, someone else will be determining if it is the place they want to move into. You need to make sure that everything looks as appealing to a potential buyer as possible.

You want your house to have vibe appeal – that intangible factor that makes it feel like home to a prospective buyer. Despite not having concrete elements, vibe appeal goes a long way to making a sale. While you don’t want to dig into any massive investments that won’t bring you proportionate payout, little touch-ups can make a big difference in making your home more appealing to its future residents.

Surface Cleaning

A clean home is easily one of the major components of vibe appeal, and thorough cleaning means your house will look as attractive to potential buyers as possible. Cleaning up any dust, polishing metals, and wiping down the windows can make a big impression on visitors.

Carpet

You don’t just want to stop at surface cleaning, however. Beyond general tidiness, give your carpets a thorough once-over. Don’t just stop at vacuuming; get your carpets professionally cleaned so they look and feel the best they can.

Tile and Grout

Tiles make for a great stylistic choice, but grout has the unfortunate tendency to show staining, even with regular cleaning. A full-scale deep cleaning of grout can make your tile look tip-top, giving the impression of newer tiles.

While all tiles are important, you want to take special care when tending to your bathroom. A dirty bathroom can give the impression that the whole home is dirty. Eliminating any traces of dirty grout will help your restroom contribute to the sale of your home instead of driving potential buyers away.

Front Lawn and Driveway

The adage “don’t judge a book by its cover” unfortunately does not apply to homebuyers. Before they even consider taking a tour, potential buyers will decide if they want to buy your house based on the front exterior. You need to do a little more than stick a “for sale” sign in your driveway to make people want to step inside.

Make sure you’ve tended to your front lawn. Adding a few plants and flowers helps make your house look attractive to others. If you have a driveway, keeping that in shape is essential, as well. Tend to any potential cracks and power wash the concrete.

Removing Clutter

There’s a chance your house has been your home for a substantial amount of time, and it’s filled with your belongings and memories. You need to remove as much mess as possible. Clean up any clutter for showings, so potential buyers can feel they have enough space and imagine themselves at home. For areas such as closets, removing at least half of your clothes can make the space seem roomier.

Cleaning is easily one of the most critical parts in successfully selling your home. Be as thorough as possible and watch your vibe appeal increase as a result.

Thinking about putting your home up for sale? Call us today at (419) 705-8693 to request a FREE demo.

5 Dos and Don’ts of Cleaning Wood Floors

By Wood Floor Cleaning

cleaning wood floorsHardwood floors are a sought-after feature in any home. They’re beautiful, classic, and add value to a property. However, they can also be difficult to clean. Proper maintenance and upkeep of your wood floors can make all the difference in how long they look like new. Below are the best ways for cleaning wood floors to keep them shining bright for life.

  1. Do: Clean Floors Yourself

It may come as a surprise, but the best thing you can do for your wood floors is DIY (do-it-yourself) cleanings in-between professional sessions. Cleaning your floors, yourself, periodically can work wonders on how they keep up over the years. Cleaning your floors with the right products and techniques can prevent dirt from scratching the wood and making your floors look dingy.

  1. Don’t: Use a Standard Vacuum

When you DIY your wood floor cleaning, start with selecting the right vacuum. Ordinary vacuums won’t work on wood floors. The bristles (meant for carpet) can scratch the wood and scatter dirt. Plastic wheels are also risks to your wood surfaces. Instead, purchase a special hardwood floor vacuum that has padding, rubber wheels, great suction, and no rolling brushes. If you vacuum your wood floors regularly, you won’t have to clean them as frequently.

  1. Do: Use the Right Cleaning Products

About once per week, deeper clean your wood floors. Use a solution of plant-based liquid soap, distilled white vinegar, and water, or purchase a store-bought cleaner specifically for wood floors. Use a damp but not saturated sponge to wash your floors first with clean, warm water. Then, use a hardwood floor mop to spread the solution. Don’t use too much, as moisture can damage wood floors. Mop in a circular direction to lift dirt and stains.

  1. Don’t: Forget to Let Floors Dry

Once you finish mopping your wood floors with the solution of your choice, don’t replace rugs or furniture until the wood dries completely. Placing rugs on wet wooden floors can trap the moisture underneath and increase the risk of water damage. Avoid walking on wet floors, as well, as this can leave dirt and footprints. Let your floors air dry completely before allowing traffic to come through.

  1. Do: Schedule a Professional for Cleaning Wood Floors

On top of regular DIY cleanings, the best way to keep your hardwood floors spick and span is to schedule periodic professional cleanings. Professional wood floor cleaning can lengthen the lifespan of your wood floors and make them beautiful again. A mix of DIY and professional cleaning is optimal for the health of your wood floors. Professional Surface Restoration offers free estimates with no obligation. Contact us to set up an appointment.