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These are some of my best tips if you need to know how to clean your hardwood floors and how to best take care of them and not damage them in the process. These will help you whether you have hardwood floors now or plan to get them soon, either by DIY (doing-it-yourself) or by installing using a hardwood floor contractor.

It doesn’t matter what type of hardwood you have – exotic, oak, maple, cherry, Brazilian cherry, etc., to remove surface dirt, vacuuming is the easiest and best way to start. If pollutants are sticking to the surface, such as smoke, you can remove them by rubbing the surface carefully with a slightly wet cloth. You can dampen the cloth with water or use commercial furniture cleaner but make sure to test a corner of the wood with the product you’ll be using so that you don’t damage it.

Commercial cleaners are generally water-based. They usually contain degreasers besides the cleansers. These are used for hardwood floors and for wood furniture and are usually safe for people but use gloves to protect your hands. And be careful about breathing any fumes that are emitted from the hardwood floor cleaners. Use good ventilation too.

If your cleaner is oil-based it will be flammable. If you choose to use the oil-based cleaner, after you finish, be sure to soak the rags in water and put them outside in a fire-proof container such as metal, away from your house and any wooden structure.

Try not to use any hardwood floor cleaners that contain silicone. The silicone will give a smooth finish but you will not be able to refinish the hardwood floor in the future even if the original coating is stripped off. Also lemon oil cleaners should not be used because they show fingerprints and the shine will have a smudged appearance. But worst of all these cleaners usually contain kerosene which will hurt most finishes and exposure to it is not good for your health.

When wood furniture is exposed to ultraviolet rays from sunlight it will become damaged as time goes by and the same is true for hardwood floors. To avoid this you can tint the windows to stop the UV rays from shining on the flooring.

If your floors need waxing just a thin coat of wax is best. If you put on a coat that is too thick it won’t dry evenly. This will leave a finish that is spotty.

When you wax your hardwood floors, a hard, waterproof wax is usually recommended. Waterproof wax will prevent the white ring problem. If you’ve ever placed a water pail or other container on a hardwood floor and it left a white ring, it’s because the water or moisture penetrated below the wax and it actually breaks the bond with the hardwood surface. Waterproof wax will prevent this from happening.

You only want to wax hardwood floors once a year or so. Make sure to apply just a little bit of wax because a buildup of wax is messy and difficult to remove. You want to choose a paste wax instead of a liquid wax because it will contain more wax.

With these tips you will know what to do to help preserve your hardwood floors and most importantly what to avoid so you won’t damage them. There are still other tips that you can use to help preserve your flooring or help you decide what flooring to get whether you already have hardwood floors or are thinking about putting in hardwood floors yourself or through a hardwood floor contractor.

Tags: Flooring, wood by Jerry
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Copyright (c) 2009 Wes Fernley

Do you want to add new life to your hardwood flooring? Flooring is a major part of your home and can be quite costly if you’re just starting out in life with a new home. If you are living in an older home with hardwood floors that have seen better days, there are a few different options available to you depending on your budget and personal preferences.

Installing New Hardwood Flooring

If you’re in the process of renovating your home or even just a few rooms, your costs are going to add up so you’ll want to save money any way you can. If your budget allows and your hardwood flooring really isn’t worth saving, replacing it with new flooring may be your best option. You can save a lot of money by tearing out the old hardwood flooring yourself. You may be thinking that this is an opportunity for you to choose less expensive flooring but in terms of aesthetics, beauty and durability; you really can’t go wrong with hardwood flooring. Not only does it add a touch of elegance to your home but will also add value to the home if you should want to sell in the future. If installing new flooring is your choice, you’ll be amazed at the many styles and colors available to you, all with simple-to-follow installation instructions.

Refinishing your Hardwood Flooring

If your hardwood flooring only has slight damage like nicks, scrapes or similar surface damage, you may have the option of refinishing it to an almost new appearance. Water damage to your wood flooring is the worst kind of damage and may cause warping as well. If your floors have this type of damage, you probably won’t be able to refinish those boards but you may be able to remove the top layer of the boards and put a new sealer on it. Replacing the few damaged boards is also an option. You can then finish the new boards with the same color and finish as the cleaned refinished boards.

Area or Throw Rugs Add Appeal to Hardwood Floors

You may have grown up hearing your mother say she bought throw rugs to cover up some imperfection on the floors. While throw or area rugs are still used for that purpose at times, they are also used as a great fashion statement. In fact, seldom will you see a hardwood floor and not see some sort of area or throw rugs. Designer rugs are very popular in homes of all styles. Area rugs come in a variety of sizes and patterns and will not only enhance the beauty of your hardwood floor but also coordinate with your other furnishings. Designer or custom-made rugs are also great for protecting your hardwood floors in high traffic areas. You guests will admire your hardwood floors and the stylish rugs as though they belonged together.

Distressed Flooring?A New & Stylish Option

If the majority of your hardwood flooring still looks good but is being ruined by a few badly scratched or damaged areas, making your entire floor match can be a unique and very popular option for your room. Distressed flooring is very popular today and is something you can do yourself. You’ll find that distressed hardwood flooring hides future wear and tear and is a very inexpensive way to preserve your floor and still be in style.

Some of the methods used to create distressed flooring vary but you can try different ways and find one you like best. Some people have filled socks with nuts, bolts or similar items and “beat” them on the floor in a repetitive manner until they have the design they desire throughout the entire floor. You and also get some really unique impressions with the head and claw of a household hammer. When you get the desired look on your entire floor, stain in with the finish of your choice, making sure the distressed areas show up darker. When the floor is thoroughly dried, add a sealant or protective coat of gloss on the entire floor. You’ll love the finished effect.

Tags: Flooring, wood by Jerry
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Most consumers choose hardwood flooring for the feeling of warmth, beauty and comfort it can give a room. Because of today’s modern technology, many manufacturers are coming up with great new synthetic flooring that not only looks good, but is also durable and low-maintenance, a definite plus for those who are always on the go but want stylish floor coverings; however even though synthetic flooring is a great alternative, many people still crave the look and feel of all-natural floor coverings such as stone or wood.

There are many other reasons to go with hardwood floors, such as the value they add to your home, easy care and easy cleaning, great style and durability and they’re natural and safe for the environment. Although carpeting is an easy alternative to floor decorations, many home decorators are now setting a new trend with exotic hardwood flooring.

If you know a building contractor or hardwood floor contractor, they may be able to help you get a nice discount. In most cases, refinishing your floors will increase the value of your home, not to mention, adding style and beauty. Some of the most well known hardwood floor manufacturers include Bruce, Shaw, Mohawk, Mannington and Armstrong.

If you’re looking for great ideas get a copy of Hardwood Floors magazine; it’s sent to more than 24,000 hardwood flooring professionals throughout the world, including contractors, dealers, distributors, manufacturers, builders, architects and many other industry professionals. If you own an older home, if the floors are structurally sound, why not go ahead and refinish them and bring your old hardwood floors back to life. After all wood is wood, and what can be more ecologically clean than natural wood planks after very little chemical processing?

There is no need for cleaning chemicals, carpet shampooing, or replacement carpets whenever you have big spills. When you’re deciding on what type of flooring is the best for you and your home, the first step to making sure it’s really right for you is to list all the pros and cons. Many people are now installing hardwood floors in their kitchen and it can also be installed over concrete.

Today’s hardwood flooring has made advances in style, durability, maintenance and care, making it more widely usable throughout the home, except in the bathroom where its use is not recommended due to possible moisture problems. You may be able to get your flooring or prefinished planks through a hardwood floor lumber liquidator or supply; shop around for discounts and low cost flooring buys. The cost of hardwood flooring depends on what type you choose.

With tons of web pages online, you can easily check online for all types of hardwood flooring including: red oak, white oak, American cherry, Brazilian cherry, maple, red birch, ash, hickory, walnut and even bamboo. And many of the hardwood flooring retailers and manufacturers offer discounts if you have a lot of square footage. If you’re thinking about a do-it-yourself project, you can easily learn how to install flooring with a few of the proper tools like sanders, nailers or nail guns etc. which you can easily rent or borrow.

Summarizing, we can say that hardwood flooring provides the utmost warmth and beauty for your home. Most hardwood floors almost never need to be replaced and can add thousands of dollars to the value of any home.

Hardwood floors are the healthiest choice for interior living, especially if you live with children. If you’re looking for a great way to improve the look, durability and value of your home, they are definitely the way to go. They are one of the most important design elements in any home or business.

Tags: Flooring, wood by Jerry
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