In order to make a good and sustainable choice when it comes to buying a new floor, it has to adapt to your lifestyle, your requirements and needs, not vice versa. It goes without saying that a good and quality flooring, when chosen correctly, will bring a lot of functionality and practicality into the house. You should always aim for a floor that does not require too much time, energy, money or elbow grease to be kept in a good condition. It should bring you comfort, if it’s being an inconvenience instead, then it is either not the best option for your home and lifestyle, or there is some other issues that you need to deal with first.
Purchasing engineered wood floors is something people have done in the past, and will keep doing in the future. One of the best things about them is that they require little to no maintenance, but still look and feel amazing all the time. Even minor and major issues and imperfections (because these happen to the best of us too) can be easily fixed and handled with a refinishing treatment. With that being said, it is important to mention that no matter how low-maintenance engineered floors are, there are still a few things you have to be aware of and keep in mind, so you can enjoy their flawless beauty and pristine condition for as long as possible. Today we’ll share with you the six things that are detrimental to your floor’s good look and you are better off avoiding.
- Do not wear high heel shoes inside the house – Even better, get rid of your footwear as soon as you enter your home. If you can change your lifestyle and start wearing only slippers inside, your wooden floor would thank you a lot. Shoes, and high heels in particular, are definitely not beneficial for it. The scratches left from the shoes might be too small to detect at first, but sooner or later you will start noticing the worn and damaged appearance in all those high traffic areas such as hallways, living rooms, kitchens, etc. Even using regular shoes inside the house, you still have to worry about scratches and dents, because dust and dirt are entering your house by sticking on the soles of the shoes and these are going to leave finer scratches on the floor’s finish and surface.
- Do not clean your floor with a lot of water – Having a regular and proper cleaning routine for it is very important, because this helps you maintain its flawless condition and appearance for longer. However, the key moment is the proper cleaning routine has to include hoovering (make sure to use the attachment for hardwood floors in order to avoid scratching the surface), swiping with a broom with soft bristles, and mopping your floor every now and then. The last part is an important part of your cleaning routine, but make sure that you are not using too much water and liquids. Keep your mop damp and use cleaning products that are designed for wooden floors and have a neutral pH. Water damages are a common occurrence due to excessive use of water while cleaning.
- Do not ignore noticeable issues – Things like squeaky noises coming from your floor, loose boards, gaps, dents and scratches, stubborn or permanent stains, chipped and worn finish, an overall sad and tired look, and many more, might not look like really important at first and do not pressure you to look for some professional help immediately, but you definitely do not have to neglect and underestimate them. Even fine and slightly noticeable scratches might lead to and grow into some major and serious issues and imperfections in near future, so make sure to tackle all imperfections and problems in time and have them fixed and repaired.
- Do not skip trimming your pet’s nails – Another major reason for scratches and dents on the surface of your engineered wood floors are the marks left by the non-trimmed nails on the excited paws of your pets. Make sure to keep the nails of your cat or dog trimmed all the time in order to prevent deeper scratches and dents.
- Do not skip placing floor mats, where needed – Placing mats onto key areas of your wooden floor is very important, so do not save yourself this little exercise, even if you enjoy the appearance so much that you’d prefer not covering it. Mats and rugs are very important for preventing some minor and major issues like scratches, dents, damaged finish, stains, water damages, etc. Place a mat under the food and water bowls of your pets, to prevent damages from water and permanent stains. Place a mat under your kitchen sink to make sure that it will catch all of the excess water from damaging your wooden floor. It is also important to place doormats on your front door, so it will catch all the dirt and dust before entering the house and damaging your floor.
- Do not try to repair your floors by yourself – It’s for the best to avoid fixing any issues that may arise by DIY-ing them, as this is definitely not a good idea. Always ask for a professional opinion and an inspection of your floor, as soon as you feel like there is something wrong. Let the professionals do their magic, because when it comes to floor repairs, sanding and refinishing, no matter how enthusiastic, handy and assured in your abilities you feel, some things are better left in experienced hands. Otherwise you risk causing even more damage that wood floor service contractors won’t be able to fix.
