One of the best things about a real wood floor is how easy it is to live with. A little regular care keeps it looking beautiful for decades, and unlike most surfaces, it can always be refreshed rather than replaced. Here is how to look after yours.
Everyday cleaning
Sweep, dust-mop or vacuum regularly to lift the grit and dust that can scratch the surface over time. When you need to clean more thoroughly, use a barely-damp mop and a cleaner made specifically for wood floors. The key word is damp, not wet.
What to avoid
- Standing water: wipe up spills promptly. Water is wood flooring’s worst enemy.
- Steam mops: the heat and moisture can damage the finish and the wood beneath.
- Harsh or all-purpose cleaners: bleach, ammonia and generic sprays can strip or dull the finish.
- Dragging furniture: lift, do not drag, and use felt pads under legs.
Protecting your floor
Place doormats at entrances to catch grit and moisture, use rugs in high-traffic areas and under dining chairs, and fit felt pads to furniture. If you have pets, keeping their claws trimmed helps. A little humidity control in very dry months keeps the boards stable too.
Long-term care
An oiled floor can be re-oiled in high-wear areas without redoing the whole floor, which makes maintenance simple. A lacquered floor can be screened and re-coated when it starts to look tired. And when the day finally comes that the floor has taken a lifetime of wear, it can be fully sanded and refinished back to like-new.
Choosing the right finish from the start makes care easier. You can explore the options in our collection, or ask us for finish-specific care advice for your floor.