Top Tips for Keeping Hardwood Floors Shiny for a Long Time

When it comes to flooring, many people will think of real wood or nothing. Their position is quite understandable. Real wood floors as solid, engineered, or parquetry, are very beautiful, durable, hard-wearing, and simply irresistible. People them for its natural hygienic properties, its class and elegance, even its luxury on a reasonable price. One more advantage of wooden floors is the fact they can look brand-new for the longest time. If maintained and cleaned properly, real wood flooring can not only last for up to a whole century but also look as beautiful and glorious as in the first day of its installation. In fact, a big reason why wooden floors can be in top shape for many decades is the fact they can be professionally sanded and refinished up to five or six times in their lifespan, depending on the thickness of the floorboards. However, a regular and appropriate cleaning and maintenance routine can make a lot of difference too.

Shiny wood floors are simply lovely

The high lustre of wooden flooring comes not from the natural properties of wooden and this is not how it looks when bare wood. The gloss is a result of the finish of choice. While high-gloss wood flooring looks very stylish and elegant, it is also a nightmare for many homeowners, because they believe the glossy surface is a real pain and hassle when it comes to maintenance.

No, if you maintain the floor properly, it will not become lifeless and dull in no time, neither you will have to invest too much of your energy, time, money, or elbow grease into keeping this glamorous appearance. Today we share with you some of the easiest yet very effective tips and tricks for keeping your wooden floors as shiny as a diamond.

Don’t Mop a Dirty Floor

Cutting corners by mopping your wooden floor straight without vacuuming or sweeping it with the broom first is the first mistake you can make that will lead to your floors not being as shiny and glossy as you want them to be. Vacuuming or sweeping is very important, it will remove all dust and dirt particles that mopping cannot. These particles of dust and dirt can work as an abrasive, when spread across the room with the mop, leaving fine scratches on the surface of the floor and giving the finish a worn and dull look. Always make sure to use a broom with soft bristles or an attachment to your vacuum machine that is designed for hardwood floors to prevent scratching the surface.

Keep Your Floor Clean Regularly

Regular maintenance and cleaning are very important for maintaining not just the condition of the floor, but also of the top finish. When it comes to wood floor cleaning, your routine should not be time-consuming or complex. Depending on the traffic and level of use of your floors experience, you can rely on a daily or even weekly cleaning routine that includes sweeping with a broom or vacuuming first and then mopping with a slightly damp mop. Remember, when it comes to wooden flooring, you don’t have to use an excessive amount of water or liquids to clean them as this can lead to moisture damage and quicker wear and tear of the glossy finish.

Furthermore, if just water is not enough to clean the floor and you are going for a deeper cleaning, make sure to use a cleaning product that is designed for hardwood flooring and has a neutral pH that is mild enough to finish. Additionally, place matts at strategic places around entrance doors and high traffic areas to keep the amount of dirt and dust entering the house and hiding between the floorboards as little as possible. Rugs and matts will also help you reduce scratches, stains, marks that will make the finished look worn, tired, and dull.

Choose the Right Cleaning Products

As we have already mentioned, choosing the right products for cleaning your floor is essential. The neutral pH of the majority of cleaning products designed for hardwood floors will guarantee the finish stays intact for longer. It is important to keep the finish in tip-top shape, as it is the protective barrier between bare wood and all risks and possible damages the environment has, including scratches and marks, moisture damage, permanent stains, etc. Make sure to check out the manufacturer recommendations for the right cleaning products for your wooden floor and follow the instructions.

Buff the Floor Dry

This one may seem like a bit extra, however, buffing your floor dry after cleaning it will guarantee that all excess moisture is removed so there is no risk of moisture damage and that the gloss of the finish is back after cleaning. Air drying timber floors is definitely not beneficial, therefore, you are recommended to grab a clean, soft cloth and buff the floor dry on your knees. This will make the floor shine and you will be able to avoid over-wetting after mopping the floor.

Protect the Floor from Direct Sunlight

It is impossible to totally block the sunlight entering your home through the windows. At the end of the day, you are not a vampire and you want to enjoy the rare moments of bright sun in the UK. However, long-term exposure to sunlight is not the best thing your wooden floor can go through. Direct sunlight is not only going to dry out the floorboards and make them squeaky, noisy, and more prone to breaking, but it will also change the way the finish looks. With some finishes, direct sunlight can make them fading and colourless, others will get dull, lifeless, and even darker.

The gloss of your finish will get worn out quicker, the protective power of the finish will get weaker too. However, the good news is that you have two good solutions. First of all, you can invest in a high-gloss finish with an added UV filter that will block sunlight from damaging the floor by reflecting it. Thanks to this type of finish, you can enjoy the good protection and the aesthetic and elegance of the high gloss. However, if you cannot invest in a refinishing project at the moment, make sure to use curtains and blinds on the windows that will block the sunlight as much as possible. You can keep the blinds shut while there is no one at home, while you are on a holiday in the summertime, or while you are at work. This will significantly reduce the damaging effect of direct sunlight on your wooden floor.

Remove Wax Build Up

One of the main reasons why wooden floors are not shiny and glossy but look dull and lifeless is too much build-up of wax on the surface. Natural waxes and oils are types of finishes that are commonly used. One of the biggest advantages of the wax finish is that it can be re-applied on top of the floor once the old layer of wax gets worn and you don’t even need professional help for that, you can do it all by yourself. However, many DIY enthusiasts tend to use too much wax. This is when you have to invest in a product that is designed to safely strip down the wax build-up and bring the floor back to its beautiful and elegant shine.

Call the Professionals

If nothing else helps and your hardwood floor still looks lifeless and dull, maybe it is time to consider calling the professionals and refinishing service. Professional cleaning and maintenance are important for keeping your wooden floor in good condition.