Your hardwood flooring is finished. But now what? How do you care for your new investment?  Read on.

Protection:

Tiny particles, like dirt, can act like sandpaper and scratch your wood. By placing a floor mat at each entryway the majority of dirt and grime will remain on the mat. Also, put a floor mat or rug in any area where water could be splashed — like near the kitchen sink.  High traffic areas are best protected by rugs and runners.

Regular Cleaning:

The better care you take, the longer your floor will maintain its beauty. Step one is to sweep your floor regularly of dirt, dust and other particles. (Swiffer-type dry cleaning cloths work well for pet hair and dust). The second step is to check your vacuum cleaner for sharp edges that could cause scratching. Vacuum as needed.

Deeper Cleaning Techniques:

Professional cleaning products such as Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner is specially formulated for effective cleaning. The residue-free formula protects your hardwood flooring investment and is safe for your family, pets, and the environment. Bona products can be used to remove tough stains and spills without dulling the finish of your wood floor.  

Do and Don’ts:

Don’t wax a wood floor with a urethane finish. Do use cleaners that won’t leave a film or residue. Don’t use ammonia cleaners or oil soaps on a wood floor — they’ll dull the finish and affect your ability to recoat later. Do use a professional hardwood floor cleaner. We recommend the Bona brand. Don’t wet mop or use excessive water to clean your floor. We do not recommend steam cleaning hardwood flooring. Do minimize water exposure and clean spills immediately.

Recoat vs. Refinish:

(When you notice a dulling of the finish don’t reach for over-the-counter quick fix products.  Many of these products contain acrylics or waxes that may prohibit polyurethane coatings to adhere). Recoating is a maintenance process where we abrade your floor’s polyurethane finish and a fresh coat of urethane is applied. The result is a rejuvenated floor! If the damage to your hardwood floor is severe, then you may require refinishing. This process involves sanding your floor down to the bare wood and refinishing it with multiple coats of polyurethane.  

Protect Your Investment:

All hardwood floors fade or change shades over time. Exposure to sunlight may greatly increase this process and cause permanent damage. Window treatments are recommended to shade your floors from the sun’s harsh rays. We also recommend rotating area rugs and furniture regularly, allowing wood floors to age evenly from UV exposure. To avoid permanent marks and scratches, it’s a good idea to cover furniture and table legs with flannel protectors. Be careful when moving heavy objects across your floor to avoid scratching. Stiletto heels may cause dents and scratches to wood floors. Likewise, trim your pet’s nails regularly and keep any and all other sharp objects away from your floors.  Love your floors and your floors will love you back for a long, long time.

On behalf of the entire crew at Cooper Floors, we would like to say Thank You!  We truly appreciate your business and we are grateful for the trust you have placed in us.  Please do not hesitate to call if ever a problem should arise. We hope you will keep us in mind for future projects and recommend Cooper Floors to family and friends.