Hardwood floors are beautiful and sleek, a true investment in your home. Here we will discuss cleaning tips, prevention strategies, and how to deal with mould on hardwood floors.
Introducing some well-considered prevention strategies will help to protect your hardwood floors from damage and reduce the amount of cleaning required to keep them looking their best.
Prevention Strategies:
Doormat: Placing a mat at every door will help to capture a lot of dirt and debris so that it doesn’t enter the home. It will also encourage family members and visitors to be mindful of cleaning their shoes and will even help collect some dirt from the feet of furry members of the household.
Sweeping: Regular sweeping around outside entryways to your home will reduce the opportunity for dust, leaves, and other debris making its way inside.
Doors & windows: Ensuring that all doors and windows are well-sealed will reduce the amount of dirt and grime making its way into your home and onto your floors.
Filters: Regular cleaning or changing filters in your home air conditioning system combat the amount of dust, dirt, and pet hair build up on your floors.
Remove shoes: It is helpful to have a no-shoe policy in your home and to be successful, create a defined area where shoes can be left. This defined area could be outside or inside the home, just near the door or in the garage.
De-cluttering: tidying up and putting things away that gather on floors such as children’s toys, bags, shopping, jackets, and shoes will reduce damage to the floors from these items and lower dust and dirt build-up around them.
Consistency and regular cleaning are, in my opinion, preferable over a big clean once every so often. This avoids dirt and grime buildup and will feel less like a huge chore.
Cleaning Tips:
Sweeping: Regular sweeping with a broom or dusting floors with a dust mop is quick and simple and can easily form part of a daily routine.
Vacuum: Vacuuming floors will help to remove even more dirt and build-up than sweeping alone and can be done weekly. Remember to use the appropriate attachment for hardwood floors to avoid scratching the surface.
Spills and moisture: Promptly remove spills with paper towel or cloth and wipe over floor surfaces that have become damp or have accumulated condensation.
The prevention strategies and cleaning tips above work together to reduce mildew and mould growing on your hardwood floor. Use the following tips when you have mould on your hardwood floor or any wooden surface.
Mould on Hardwood Floors:
If you notice mould or mildew forming on your hardwood floors, don’t delay, the sooner you tackle mould the better.
Wipe: Wipe over the surface with a soft, clean cloth to remove surface mould (you may want to wear a mask to avoid inhaling any spores).
Spray: Lightly spraying the surface with a product that kills mould and can help to lift any mould staining such as Oil of Cloves Wall, Ceiling & Wood Cleaner.
Remove: Remove any residue by going over the area again with a soft, clean cloth.
Due to the porous nature of wood and for unfinished hardwood floors, sanding may be required to remove staining. The floor may then be revarnished or oiled.
Introduce prevention strategies and routine cleaning habits to maintain the look and cleanliness of your hardwood floors. If mould is a recurring problem, you can treat your hardwood floors for mould regularly to slow regrowth and reduce the opportunity for mould to leave a stain.
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