Care and Maintenance Advice
How do I seal and protect a hardwood floor?
Your hardwood floor can be sealed and protected either with lacquer (or varnish) or with oil / oil wax. Varnishes form a protective layer on top of the wood whereas oils protect the wood by internally coating the pores of the wood. The wax component of an oil wax gives additional protection to a floor in a similar way to waxed coats.
How often should I oil my floor?
Oiled and oil-waxed floors need ongoing maintenance. Every time you wash an oiled floor you take away some of the oil protection and this will need to be replenished. So how often the floor needs to be oiled will depend on how often the floor is washed. An oiled floor will start to look dry when it needs to be oiled. Make sure you use the right products, consult your hardwood flooring experts and ask them what you should use. They should also offer a maintenance programme for looking after oiled floor.
Will my dog's claws scratch my wooden floor?
Dog claws will scratch the lacquer on a wooden floor. Either knit him some socks or consider an oiled floor. See the difference between lacquered and oiled floors in our guide.
Will my furniture dent/scratch the floor?
All wood floors dent and scratch. To minimise this use felt pads and casters on the bottom of your furniture, especially chairs. See our guide for other handy tips on maintenance and care.
What's the best way to keep my floor clean?
New hardwood floors need very little looking after. Regular sweeping and / or vacuuming will keep the floor free of surface dirt. Good mats inside and outside all entrances will keep shoes free of grit and dirt. It is a combination of surface dirt and dirt on shoes that damages the lacquer on your new floor. A floor can be mopped using a mild floor soap with a well rung out mop as required. More information on caring for your floor is in our guide. Remember, only wash the floor when it is dirty and not just because it's cleaning day.
How do I clean a pre-varnished wooden floor?
When it is dirty and needs mopping use a well wrung out cloth and the manufacturer's recommended soap.
What products do you recommend to clean a hardwood floor?
Always use the products the manufacturer recommends. Using other products can spoil your floor and invalidate its guarantee.
What's the best wood floor polish to use?
Always use products that are recommended by your floor's manufacturers. If you are unsure what make your floor is or what finish you have on your floor then consult a hardwood flooring expert for advice. If you use the wrong products you could make the floor slippery and dangerous.
What's the best vacuum cleaner to use?
Any vacuum cleaner that has soft brush head and no wheels.