In a city like Los Angeles, where style and elegance are crucial, hardwood floors make an exceptional addition to any home. However, hardwood flooring requires proper maintenance to remain beautiful and durable long-term, like other flooring materials.
Over time, heavy foot traffic, changing humidity levels, and other environmental conditions can wear and tear your floor. In this blog, you will get expert tips on maintaining your hardwood flooring in Los Angeles to extend its longevity.
Regular Cleaning & Maintenance
Regular cleaning is one of the easiest yet most effective methods to keep your hardwood flooring in shape. Dirt, dust, and debris can accumulate on the surface; over time, they wear down the finishes and cause scratches.
Daily Dusting or Sweeping: Use a soft-bristle broom or a microfiber dust mop to sweep soil and dust daily. The most effective way is to use a microfiber mop, which can easily trap dust particles.
Vacuum Weekly: Use a hardwood floor attachment system to get into tight spaces and empty corners to clean the whole area properly. It also prevents dirt from building up that could scratch the surface.
Mopping Gently:
- Always mop using a damp (not soaking wet) microfiber mop.
- Do not soak the floor because the excess water will warp or swell.
- Apply a pH-neutral cleaner, particularly one designed for hardwood floors, that will not damage the finish.
Protect High-Traffic Areas
Some areas, like entryways, hallways, and living rooms in Los Angeles homes, get more foot traffic than others. The flooring of such high-traffic environments is more exposed to damage.
Use Area Rugs and Mats: We recommend placing rugs or mats in heavy foot traffic to protect your floors from dirt, moisture, and scuff marks. However, ensure these rugs are not made of rubber; otherwise, moisture will build up underneath.
Furniture Pads: Add felt pads to the bottom of furniture legs to prevent scratches when moving chairs and tables around. Change the pads if they are worn.
Manage Moisture Levels
Moisture is one of the most dangerous enemies that hardwood flooring can encounter. Due to the diverse climate in Los Angeles, which can be dry in the summertime and more humid during winter, it is important to regulate humidity levels.
Keep Relative Humidity under control: Ideal indoor humidity is between 35% and 55%. High humidity can cause wood to expand, while low humidity causes the wood to contract, creating gaps or uneven floor warping. In the winter, you should get a humidifier; in summer, place a dehumidifier, as these can assist with maintaining this balance.
Clean Up Spills Quickly: Do not allow water or other liquid to remain on your hardwood floor for long. It even takes a little spill for the liquid to seep into the wood fibers, which can cause warping or stain over time.
Refinishing Your Floors
No matter how much you maintain your hardwood floors, they can eventually get scratched or dull. You can improve the beauty of your floors with a periodic refinish.
Refinish When: If you see visible scratches, dull spots, or faded finishes, you should refinish the floor. Hardwood floors generally need refinishing every 7-10 years, but this depends on the level of traffic in your home.
Professional Refinishing: If scratches are deep, they may not buff out, and the table must be sanded before being refinished. A wood professional can lay down a new protective layer without harming the wood itself.
Protect Against Sunlight
Though Los Angeles does have its fair share of sunshine, leaving hardwood floors in the direct sun too long will eventually fade them.
Avoid Direct Sunlight: Pull curtains or blinds when the sun is hitting your floors hardest to reduce UV damage to your floors.
Move Around Furniture: Periodically, shift your furniture so certain floor segments don’t get more sun than others. This helps prevent uneven fading.
Professional Maintenance Solutions
Although we use preventive steps and regular cleanliness to maintain hardwood floors in good condition, you may need professional services if the damage is serious.
Deep Cleaning: A professional cleaning service can eliminate dirt and buildup missed by special mopping.
Spot Repairs: Professional flooring services can perform spot repairs without needing full refinishing for minor damage like dents or water stains.
Conclusion
With consistent and regular cleaning, hardwood flooring in Los Angeles can be worth the trouble of keeping it shiny. By employing professional tips like routine cleaning, moisture control, using mats in entry areas, preventing scratches with good care habits, and scheduling services that get under the floor’s floors, you can keep your gorgeous hardwood flooring looking its best for decades.