Wooden floors – how to care for them?

A well-kept wooden floor is the highlight of any interior. If properly cared for, it will serve for many years of trouble-free use.

How to care for a wood floor?

If you want to enjoy your wooden floor for longer, you need to look after it properly.

Taking care of a varnished floor

By painting the wood with a high quality varnish, its durability and resistance to various mechanical damages is enhanced. Thanks to the antistatic properties of the varnish, dirt and dust do not stick so easily to the surface of the floor, which makes its daily maintenance easier.

Cleaning a varnished floor

Lacquered wood does not require much maintenance:

• regular vacuuming – thanks to this, dust and dirt are removed on an ongoing basis and do not cause micro-damage to the varnish;
• cleaning – washing the floor with detergent should be done 1-2 times a week. A cloth or mop should be slightly damp, but not wet – the wood will absorb water.

Maintenance of oiled flooring

A floor protected with oil is very elegant but requires more attention and care than a varnished floor.

Cleaning an oiled floor

In order for an oiled floor to retain its beautiful appearance over many years of use, it is essential to

• daily cleaning – such floor should be swept or vacuumed daily (broom or vacuum cleaner tip must have soft bristles) and washed daily with special preparations;
• refreshing the floor– once in a while, it is worth refreshing the floor with special preparations for wood care and a soft cloth
• renovation – if any damage appears on an oiled floor, it can be removed using hard wax.

4 rules for using wood flooring

1. In rooms where there is a wooden floor, it must be preserved:
   1. an adequate air temperature of 18-24°C,
   2. air humidity between 40-60%.
2. Maintenance of the floor must be carried out only by means of special products.
3. Cover all furniture that could scratch the floor with felt pads.
4. If there is a carpet on the parquet, it must be made of a water permeable material that allows air movement.

4 home methods for caring for a wooden floor

If difficult stains appear on the wooden floor, then it is worth removing them with the help of home methods:

Water and vinegar solution

One of the most common home remedies for removing tough stains is to combine water with a small addition of vinegar and a few drops of essential oil. This solution removes all tough stains and does not damage the delicate structure of the floor.

After washing the stained area with the solution, it is worth to rinse it additionally with clean water and let it dry.

Black tea

Black tea is a great way to clean a dark wooden floor. To prepare the solution, you need to brew 6 tea bags in 1 cup of water. When the infusion cools down, combine it with 1.5 liters of warm water. Only dark wood floors should be cleaned with this solution. Light wood may be discolored by the infusion.

Baking soda

Baking soda can remove even the most stubborn stains from wooden surfaces. It should only be applied topically, as it can damage the delicate wood structure.

It is best to prepare a mixture of baking soda, lemon juice and water. This mixture should be used to wipe the stained area and then rinsed with clean water. The cleaned area can be lubricated with baby oil.

>> See: Ergonomics in the kitchen – principles and practical tips

Olive oil

Olive oil is a great product not only for the kitchen, but also for floor care. It levels small scratches on the floor, while impregnating the entire surface.

To make the surface care solution you will need:

• a glass of olive oil,
• a few drops of essential oil
• 5 l of warm water.

Mix all the ingredients together and wash the floor along the grain – so that the oil reaches all the nooks and crannies.