Maintenance

 To maximize the life of your floor it is key that the floor is maintained & cleaned properly, using approved cleaning products only.

DO’S

DON’T’S

Vacuum / sweep regularly

Over wet the floor when removing stains

Dry up spills quickly

Use wax-based cleaners

Use a flat bottom mop

Use steel wool

Put doormats and rugs by doors

Use harsh detergent

Keep pets’ nails trimmed

Have damp conditions

Use furniture pads under table legs and castors

Have high humidity in the area

 

Laminate Flooring

A laminate floor has an upper protective plastic coating which means that it is difficult to scratch or chip, however a sharp edge, metal castor, or dragging of a heavy object could mark the surface. To minimize the risk of damage use flooring felt pads. Heavy furniture should not be dragged across the flooring without protection underneath. Care should be taken with shoes to not have exposed metal (in particular with high heels) Also care should be taken that you do not take debris such as stone chippings under foot, this can be minimised by using mats at entrance doors.

It is critical that your laminate floor is cleaned correctly. You must never clean a laminate floor with a wet mop as it will cause the floor to expand and cause irreversible damage. Any spillages should be cleared immediately with absorbent cloth. The floor should be regularly swept or hovered to remove dust and debris. You should hoover following the grain of the floor. When cleaning you should use approved floor cleaning products and ensure that the excess liquid is removed from the flat bottomed mop before cleaning the floor, i.e a damp mop. After cleaning the floor should dry within 30seconds.

Floor steamers are not really recommended for use on a laminate floor as if left steaming in the one spot it can very quickly cause irreversible moisture damage to the spot.

Engineered & Solid Wood Flooring

If possible, sweep or vacuum your engineered flooring daily. Use either a vacuum cleaner with a soft flooring attachment, or sweep. Always vacuum or sweep an engineered wood floor before washing - this removes most of the dust and grit so helps scratch avoidance. It’s important to take care of your engineered wood flooring, depending on the finish of your floor (oiled, lacquered etc) the cleaning method can vary please contact us to discuss further.

Regular cleaning will keep your floor looking well, however there are some chemicals and materials to avoid. Never use wax-based cleaners or harsh detergents on your engineered timber. Always check the label of any products you purchase to make sure they are compatible with engineered wood flooring.

Abrasive materials, such as steel wool, scouring pads, should not be used to clean engineered hardwood flooring as they will scratch the surface.

While it is safe to mop engineered wood flooring, always use a flat bottomed mop, always ensure that the excess liquid is removed from the mop before cleaning the floor, i.e a damp mop. After cleaning the floor should dry within 30seconds.

Engineered & Solid Flooring both have the same look when finished, however engineered floors have a greater structural stability which is why they are suitable for underfloor heating. Engineered floors deal better with changes in temperature and minor changes in moisture levels, but you should always protect your any wood flooring from moisture. Liquid spills should not be left sitting on the floor they must be cleaned up immediately using an absorbent cloth or the floor could absorb them especially along the joints.

Engineered & Solid Wood flooring can dent or scratch, this can vary depending on the species, finish and manufacturing process. To minimize this risk; use furniture pads on all contact patches with floor (eg castors, table legs etc), keep the floor free from dust and grit by regularly sweeping and vacuuming, place mats at external entrances to limit the dirt being brought in from outside, minimize the wearing of sharp stilettos/high heels.

For Engineered & Solid Wood Flooring you can sand, stain and varnish your floor to rejuvenate, repair or even for certain species change the colour. For Engineered & Solid floors the number of sandings the floor can take over it’s lifetime is dependent on the wear layer available. Prior to sanding you need to know has the floor been sanded previously, how many times has it been sanded, what was the original wear layer on the product (mm of solid top layer on an engineered product, or mm above groove on a solid product whilst still keeping the structure intact).