Keeping your wood floor clean throughout lockdown

With the country currently on lock down, trying to keep the house sparkling clean, with children home from school and pets running around, may seem an ongoing battle!

Woodpecker Flooring are on hand to help… The Woodpecker story started three generations ago, with an unrivalled passion and knowledge of wood. Created from one solid piece of wood, each board is carefully chosen, graded and finished to create an exquisite design. Once installed, the splendour of the wood radiates throughout the room, adding a real sense of warmth to its surroundings.

However, like all natural substances, wood is susceptible to wear and tear. To ensure it always looks its best and lasts longer, here are some steps you can take to protect your wood floors whilst protecting yourselves during the lock down period…

LIGHT CLEANING
Regular sweeping with a soft bristled broom will get rid of dust and rogue bits of grit on your wood floor which could cause damage if allowed to accumulate. You can also vacuum – ideally with a soft brush attachment to avoid scratching. Just remember that a gentle touch is the best way to clean your wood floor.

MOPPING

Wetness can damage a hardwood floor so always use a well-wrung mop when cleaning, taking care to remove excess liquid immediately.

Despite what you might read online, do not use water and vinegar, soap-based cleaner, wax or steam cleaners on your wood floor. These can dull the floor’s finish, leave an ugly residue or subject your floor to excessive heat and water which could lead to long-term damage.

FOR A DEEPER CLEAN
If you have an oiled floor, regular vacuuming and well-wrung mopping will protect its beautiful look and feel. But for a deeper clean now and again, use Woodpecker One Coat Soap. This clever product will clean your floor and form a protective film, helping to build its surface resistance over time and make your floor even easier to clean.

FLOOR MATS

When it comes to taking care of your wood floor, the natural place to start is at the door, and a good quality floor mat will catch dirt and grit, preventing damage further into your home.

RUGS OR CARPET RUNNERS
We know that the last thing you want to do is cover up the beautiful texture of your natural wood floor, but sometimes prevention is better than the cure. Consider rugs or carpet runners for high footfall areas such as doorways, halls and stairs. Just make sure that the mats you choose are suitable for a wood floor as rubber-backed mats can trap moisture and cause damage.

FURNITURE

Never drag furniture or other objects across your wood floor – it can easily result in unsightly dents or scratches. Woodpecker offer a variety of felt protectors and castor cups that enable you to move furniture easily without marking your floor.

SHOE RULES
Avoid wearing heavy shoes or work boots when stepping onto your natural wood floor. High heels, and stilettos in particular, should be avoided. They exert a huge amount of pressure that easily dents or marks even the toughest of wood floors.

SPILLAGES

Liquid is the enemy to your wood floor so mop up any spilled drinks and never allow water or other liquids to sit for any length of time. The odd drop may not hurt, but excessive amounts of water will cause lasting damage.

SUNLIGHT
It’s thrilling to see the sun illuminating a wood floor, filling the room with natural light and warmth. Yet sunlight will naturally help the wood’s colour to mellow, so be aware of this and move rugs, mats and furniture regularly to ensure an even maturing of colour. Dark woods like Walnut are more susceptible to fading, which is worth considering when you choose your wood flooring.

PETS

Nothing’s more natural than a dog or cat curled up by the fire, asleep on your wood floor. But remember to keep your pet’s claws trimmed to prevent scratches and if there are any ‘accidents’ make sure they’re cleaned up fast.

KEEP IN TOUCH
Hopefully this unprecedented situation won’t last long, in the meantime please stay safe.

The Woodpecker Team are here to provide support, please contact us on 02920 888223 if you have any questions, want to discuss through any ideas, or if you wish to order any free samples for your next home improvement project.