How to Care for & Maintain Your Floors.

Cleaning and Proper Care of Wood Surfaces At E.W.F., Inc. we believe your wood floors repay you with a lifetime of value. When you first glimpse at a solid hardwood floor, you sense richness, warmth and natural beauty. Gradually, you get to know its distinct personality -- visual harmonies, the traces of history in the forest and in your home.

Let us help you with your flooring today!

Take a look.

  • Appreciate the color and pattern of the floor's strips, planks or parquetry.
  • Read the grain: Is it bold-textured oak? Subdued maple or cherry?
  • Check the condition of the underlying wood and the finish that protects it. Are there signs of neglect to erase (it's not difficult), or do you see a well-tended surface that needs to be recoated or sanded?

You can create dramatic looks with unique textures, colors, patterns and styles of solid hardwood flooring.

PREVENTION

DIRT and GRIT

WATER AND OTHER SPILLS

HARD CLEANERS

 

Dirt, grit and sand are your hardwood floors worst enemies. They act like sandpaper on the finish, causing scratches, dents and dulling. Place floor mats at entrances to trap dirt and prevent damage.

Standing water can warp a poorly finished hardwood floor and can damage the finish. Simply wipe up all spills as they happen.

Avoid oil soaps. They can build up and create problems when it's time to put a maintenance coat on the floor. Instead, neutral pH cleaners made specifically for wood floors are recommended.

 

FURNITURE

DENTS

SUN

 

Lift the furniture to move it --- avoid dragging. Felt contacts under the legs will help prevent scratches.

Vacuum with a brush attachment -- don't use vacuums with beater bars.

Direct sun can discolor your hardwood floor. Close curtains and blinds or add sheer drapes to protect from the sun's intense UV rays.

 

REGULAR CARE

SWEEP

VACUUM

DUST MOP

 

Brooms with fine, exploded ends trap dust and grit effectively.

Canister vacuums with special bare floor attachments are the surest way to get rid of all the dirt and dust.

Use a good dust mop --- one with a 12- to 18- inch cotton head ---- and a special dust mop treatment. Spray the treatment onto the mop head 12 to 24 hours before dust mopping.

 

Does Your New Hardwood Floor Look Old?

Perhaps your hardwood floors were installed just a few years ago, but you haven't taken care of them and now they look old. What can you do? Before you do anything, call us to check the condition of the finish and the wood to see whether they need special cleaning or more involved repair.

What type of finish does your floor have?  

Surface Finishes: (pre-finished floors, polyurethane, water-based urethane and catalyzed)

Nearly all floors installed today have surface finishes, mostly polyurethane. They are often glossy and may look like a layer of clear plastic on top of the wood. A small amount of paint remover in an inconspicuous area of the floor will cause the surface finish to bubble (unless it is a water-based urethane, in which case there will be no reaction). Surface finishes shield floors from harm by forming a protective layer on top of the wood. 

 

When Your Floors Need Extra Care

DAMP MOPPING  

We at E.W.F. recommend that you damp mop your hardwood floor and others cringe at the suggestion. Just remember, if your floor's finish is in good shape and mopping is done correctly, the water won't penetrate even the oil and wax finishes. You're cleaning the finish, not the wood, so don't use water if the finish is in poor shape.

Damp Mopping is the fastest and best way to deep-clean solid hardwood floors. Depending on how much use your floor gets, you may have to mop it as often as once a week. Use a neutral pH wood cleaner and water, or manufacturer-recommended products. Wet the mop and wring so it's about half-dry. Wet the floor with the mop. Dip the mop into clean water, wring it as dry as you can and mop over the floor again.

MAINTENANCE COAT

buffer If you can't restore your solid hardwood floor's luster with deep cleaning or by simply buffing, you may want to apply a maintenance coat. Waxing is an easy way to restore your hardwood floor's natural beauty. Though a controversial treatment for surface finishes, floor polish or wax can give you a good-looking floor in a matter of minutes. If you don't want to apply a wax to your surface finish, consult a professional.





Squeaks

When the air in your home becomes extremely dry, your floor will lose moisture and contract. Conversely, when humidity is high, your floor will absorb moisture and expand slightly. As humidity stabilizes, hardwoods regain their original dimensions. Air conditioning in summer and humidifying in winter will keep your home's humidity comfortable for you and your floor. Prolonged cycles of shrinking and swelling of your hardwood floor may result in squeaks. They can be easily corrected. 

Silencing Squeaks

If you need to refinish or replace your hardwood floor, consult a professional for best results.

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