In ancient times, floors weren’t anything close to what we know them to be today. They were just a patch of tamped down dirt that was sometimes strewn with unworked materials, such as hay and straw for people to walk on. While traditional dirt floors are still used in some parts of the world, there is a huge selection of flooring options available today. And, we understand that choosing the right flooring type for your home or other building can be confusing. That’s why we created this website. Although we’re not flooring specialists, we can provide you with some useful information about the different types of flooring. This information can guide you through the flooring selection process but also help you identify the right flooring contractor for your needs. Welcome aboard!
Wood floors enhance the aesthetic of a home, and when they are maintained well, they can last for decades. Unsealed wood floors should never be polished, but if your wood floors have been sealed with a protective waterproof barrier, such as urethane, they can and should be polished to extend the life of the wood. Heavy footfall, pets, children's toys and moving furniture around can all lead to scuffs and a dulling of the finish on your floors, so it's wise to polish your floors a couple of times a year to even out imperfections and renew its shine.
Prepare The Floor
Before applying wood floor polish, you will need to empty the room of all furniture and give the floor a thorough cleaning. Vacuum or sweep with a soft-bristled brush, and mop with a microfiber mop head and floor cleaner formulated for wood floors. A microfiber mop head is soft and nonabrasive, and it also absorbs excess water well, which prevents damage from water sitting on the surface of the wood for extended periods.
Apply Polish
Ensure the floor is completely dry before applying polish. Start at a far corner of the room and work your way toward the door in small, manageable sections. Working in sections of around a square metre of floor at a time will help you control the amount of polish being applied to the floor and ensure you aren't missing spots, which can easily happen when covering a large area. Use a mop with a flat head to work the polish into the floor, and work in the direction of the wood grain to ensure the application is smooth and even. Once the entire floor is dry, a second coat can be applied if necessary.
Proactively Protect
A new coat of polish can leave your floors looking like new, and you can prolong the shine of your newly polished floors by taking steps to protect them from the effects of daily use. Place rugs in areas of high footfall, such as an entranceway, or anywhere that could lead to your floors getting wet, such as around the kitchen sink, and try to mop up spills as soon as they occur. Vacuum regularly to prevent scratches on your floors caused by small stones being brought in on the soles of shoes, and avoid floor cleaners with vinegar or ammonia, which can dull polished surfaces.
There are a range of polishing products available for wood floors, so consult your local flooring specialist if you'd like advice on choosing the best products for maintaining your floors.
To learn more, contact a company that offers floor polishing services.
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