Wooden floors are an indispensable source of cosiness in the home. However, over time they naturally wear out, especially in areas where there is a lot of movement. Thus, all types of wooden floors require regular wooden floor maintenance. Here are a few tips to make your floors not only pleasant to walk on, but also beautiful to look at.

Daily floor maintenance

Moisture is the most damaging to wooden floors, and dents and scratches are not good for them. Liquids spilled on the floor surface can damage the varnish or oil, so if this happens, wipe with a dry cloth as soon as possible. Never walk on wooden floors with high-heeled shoes, and if you have pets, it’s better to clip their nails. Put a piece of felt under the legs of chairs and tables. Try to keep dirt and sand on the floor to a minimum. Otherwise, the floor finish may be damaged or even rubbed off.

If you are moving furniture, carefully lift it, carry it and place it in its new location. Do not push or pull heavy chests of drawers or sofas – you may scratch the floor surface.

Adequate temperature, ventilation and humidity are essential to keep the floor in good condition. The room should have a temperature of 18-22 °C and a relative humidity of 50-65 %. Inadequate humidity can cause cracks to appear between the boards and excessive humidity can cause the floor to expand and warp.

The more often you clean, the longer you can enjoy

Vacuum or clean your wooden floors with a special vacuum cleaner or a high-quality brush several times a week. Doing so will not only clean the surface, but also remove any dust in the gaps. At the same time, you’ll get rid of bacteria, which will keep your floors in good condition for longer.

Once a week, use a microfibre cloth and a neutral pH or home-made cleaner, after reading the instructions for use. They will help clean stubborn stains. Of course, the best way to prevent stains from setting in is to scrub the dirt as soon as it appears.

Start with mild cleansers, and if that doesn’t work, choose stronger ones. Some stains can be cleaned with home-made remedies such as plain soap or a mixture of vinegar and water. Whatever you use, don’t let the cleaner dry – wipe it off with a cloth or cotton cloth.

Lacquer or oil?

Varnish coats the surface of the floor with a film and makes it more resistant to scratching and abrasion. It’s easy to maintain – a vacuum cleaner or a cloth that’s just barely damp will do. Do not use wet rags and dry as soon as possible in the event of a spill. For varnished floors, you can use products designed for varnished surfaces.

If the parquet flooring is coated with oil, it will require more care. Oil is absorbed into the surface layer of the wood and provides resistance, but does not protect against mechanical damage or abrasion. Re-oiling of wooden floors will depend on how often they are walked on. They are more difficult to maintain than varnished floors. The surface should be vacuumed and can also be cleaned with neutral cleaners without ammonia. It is important not to over-wet the floor – use a dry or barely damp cloth. The earlier you notice the stains, the easier they are to remove. You should also use products for oil-coated surfaces.

Floors should be recoated with varnish or oil as soon as you notice that they have lost their shine or colour and look worn. Use a sander and sandpaper. Sand all the boards one by one until the surface is smooth. Before staining, test the product in a less visible area before staining the whole floor area.