Month: August 2019

For most households, the kitchen is a high foot-traffic zone. From mom’s movements during meal-making to the continual pitter-patter of hungry children searching through kitchen cabinets, your kitchen floors rarely get a break. And with having to endure the spills, stains and scraps that accompany the breakfast, lunch and dinnertime rush, your kitchen floor will likely be the dirtiest in the house too!

 As such, when it comes to this area, selecting the right kitchen flooring takes thoughtful consideration. Think durability, sustainably and easiness to clean and you’ll find yourself a floor that suits your kitchen’s unique needs. It’s perhaps the reason that so many people turn to hardwood flooring as the perfect long-term solution.

 So, what makes hardwood flooring so desirable in your home’s food hub? Here are 7 benefits of installing hardwood floors in your kitchen.

1.     Elegant Look

The overall look of your kitchen can influence the vibe of the rest of your home. When you’re thinking about interior design, it’s often difficult to balance style with functionality; sometimes the most practical solutions aren’t the prettiest! But that’s where hardwood flooring really shines. 

Hardwood floors have the ability to completely refine and transform a space, making sure this general meeting place feels both warm and inviting. No other material can quite emulate the homely feel that the natural tones of hardwood flooring exude. With tones ranging from dark to light, each style of hardwood has its own unique character and can fit with your own personal aesthetic. 

2.     Durability

 As the kitchen is considered a major hub in any household, scuffs and marks are to be expected. That said, it is vital that you consider a flooring product that can stand the test of time while taking a daily beating! With hardwood’s strength and durability, you can be assured that your kitchen floors will keep their beautiful appearance for years to come.

When it comes to durability, it’s best to research wood species that have a high ranking on the Janka hardness chart. This rating provides an estimate of both the hardness and durability of your chosen wood style and will help you make an informed decision unique to your personal circumstances. To help you determine which style is best for your home you can use this guide. 

3.     Easy To Clean

Undeniably, kitchens are prone to mess. Not to worry, though. Hardwood floors take the chore out of cleaning as stains and dirt won’t stick to this material’s surface the same way as it does with other flooring options.

When it comes to day to day maintenance, hardwood floors are mostly hassle-free. To maintain the fresh appearance of your hardwood floors, you may want to have them refinished periodically, but when it comes to regular care, your weekly clean routine is quite simple. All that’s needed is a quick vacuum and sweep with a mop and your floors will be back in tip-top shape. 

4.     Softer & Warmer Than Tile

Inevitably, natural wood exudes a feeling of warmth, both in an aesthetic sense and also in a physical sense. In fact, hardwood floors actually feel warmer underfoot. Often, tiles retain coolness which can be refreshing in the summertime but can feel unbearable when the winter rolls around. Hardwood floors, on the other hand, sustain their comforting feel throughout all times and seasons.

5.     Adds Greater Value To Your Home

It’s true, wooden floors add value to your home. If there comes a time where you’re looking to sell your home, potential buyers often prefer a timeless wood over chipped tiles. Investing in decent hardwood floors now will pay off in the long run so if cost is your deciding factor, maybe you should reconsider.

6.     Better Air Quality

Hardwood floors do not trap dust, pollen or other common allergens. This means that installing wooden floors in your kitchen will promote significantly better airflow. Often, people who suffer from allergies choose hardwood flooring as it allows them to breathe comfortably. So, ultimately with wooden floors, you won’t need to opt for an outdoor kitchen to get a breath of fresh air!

While you might think the same can be said for tiles and laminate, this is not completely true. Even though these alternative options do not have fibers like carpet, dust can still collect inside their grout lines and embossing. 

7.     Hardwood Floors Can Make Your Home Seem Larger

 No one likes feeling cramped, especially not in the kitchen. Most of the time, your kitchen is your general meeting place so you not only want it to feel inviting but also accommodating too. Given that hardwood floors are laid vertically they help create the illusion of length in even the smallest of kitchens.

 Images: Unsplash

 

Being able to care for wood flooring is an essential part of your cleaning routine. By taking proper care of your flooring, you ensure it lasts as long as possible. One of the key benefits of hard flooring is how simple wood floor cleaning really is. Our handy guide walks you through the steps on how to properly maintain wood flooring. 

 

There are a few small steps involved, in this blog, we’ll highlight the do’s and don’ts of wood floor cleaning as well as advice that you should take on board when caring for and maintaining your wooden flooring.

 

Included in this blog will be cleaning and maintenance products to use, as well as the proper method of cleaning. We’ll also cover the definite things that you should avoid, and preventative measures to look out for when you plan to maintain wood flooring.

 

Quick Top Tips

• Mop up wet spills as soon as possible to prevent colour changes or warping of the floor
• Sweep away any dirt or dust regularly
• For the best cleaning results, we recommend a flat-headed spray mop for ease, as well as minimising the chance of damage
• Do not use abrasive cleaning equipment to clean your floor
• Do not use polish or cleaning products designed for other furniture, such as furniture polish
• Take off dirty footwear before walking on your floor
• Use protector pads on the bottom of your furniture to prevent them from scuffing and scratching your floor
• Maintain the look by sanding and refinishing your wood flooring

 

Cleaning your wooden floor

When caring for your wooden floor, the best solution comes from using a spray mop with a specially formulated cleaner. Our Complete Clean, Care & Revive Kit comes from the Impero Elite range of wood floor care products.

The Complete clean, care and revive kit comes with:

•         1 x Spray Mop
•         4 x Microfibre Cloths
•         1 x Universal Floor Cleaner: 1L
•         1 x Reviving Wax for Wood Flooring: 1L
•         1 x Graduated Measuring Cap
•         1 x Detachable Cleansing Brush
•         1 x Instructions & Assembly Guide
•         1 x Wood Flooring Care & Maintenance Guide

The complete cleaning kit contains an easy glide Spray Mop featuring an advanced spray handle and additional grip design, allowing you to get a firm hold on stubborn marks. The refillable liquid compartment takes the effort out of cleaning; eliminating the need to carry additional equipment.

For your quick clean, simply fill the liquid compartment with your Universal Floor Cleaner and squeeze the trigger to release. The integrated spray system evenly distributes the cleaner for the perfect coverage, whilst the machine-washable microfibre cloth makes easy work of capturing any surface dirt.

This all in one package will help you save a lot of time and money, with everything you need included in one easy-to-use product.

 

Removing Dust

The first step to wood floor cleaning is to remove any dust, crumbs or litter.

 

This is something that should be done every week as it keeps the quality of your home and the floor to a higher standard. By removing debris from your floor’s surface you minimise the chances of it causing scratches to the surface.

 

Use a soft sweeping brush to get rid of most of the dirt, while making sure that you do not damage the wood in the process. With our Elite Wood Flooring Care Kit, You can use the white microfibre dust cloth and attach it to your mop. Simply run this over your floor to pick up and loose dust and prepare your floor for cleaning. 

 

A rough or brittle sweeping brush could potentially scuff and scratch the wood permanently. The same outcome is possible with a vacuum, remember to care for wood flooring effectively and patiently.

 

Cleaning

Every week or so, clean the wood with a  very slightly damp mop. Too much water is bad for the wood and can cause permanent damage. Even better, you should use a flat-headed spray mop. This means the cleaning liquid is instantly soaked up, preventing any moisture from soaking into the floor.

 

 

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Wood flooring needs a little moisture from time to time, so cleaning the floor weekly is a great way to keep it in good shape. If a section of flooring is walked on or used less often, then this may require less regular cleaning.

 

What to avoid

Leaving spills on the wood will give the wood time to absorb whatever liquid was on the floor, such as grease, alcohol, or sauce.

 

Any kind of liquids have a chance of permanently staining or damaging your flooring if left long enough. We suggest you clean the floor immediately after.

 

Cleaning the floor rarely or without proper care greatly reduces the quality of the wood. Stains and other spillages have the chance to absorb through the wood and leave marks or tone difference, as well as long-term structural damage such as curling or buckling.

 

Moisture from wet mops or steam mops absorb into the wood and cause permanent damage. Remember that the mop can only be very slightly damp in order to use it to clean and care for wooden floors, with flat-headed spray mops being the preferred option. To maintain wood flooring long-term, ensure all moisture is dealt with immediately. 

Vacuuming can turn out to be very bad for your wood floor, especially if you are using a beater bar and bristle bar setting. This scratches the surface to leave unsightly marks across the flooring. 

 

Many people who use home remedies or harsh detergent to care for wooden flooring end up with marks and stains dotted around their wood. Only ever use a certified wood floor cleaner.

 

Abrasive cleaning equipment has a massive potential to cause long-term damage to your flooring. Forget scouring pads or rough sponges, as these will cause more harm than good.

 

Did you know? Preventable damage accounts for 20% of wood flooring repairs.

Preventing Floor Damage

A key aspect if you want to maintain wood flooring is prevention. Preventing your floor from getting damaged can be something as simple as taking your shoes off before you walk on the floor. If you feel awkward asking people, a small sign at the entrance to your home is a great way to give a gentle reminder that your home is a shoe-free zone. 

 

Mud stains and wet shoes can easily stain your wood and produce permanent marks, Of course, they will happen from time to time – just be sure to clean them up immediately.

 

Protecting your floor from heavy objects such as furniture is vitally important. Self-adhesive floor protectors prevent scratches and scuffs by household items such as chairs, couches and tables.

 

Your pet’s claws can often be a hidden culprit. If you don’t know where those odd scratch marks are coming from, trim your pet’s claws on a regular basis.

 

Moving doormats can also scuff your floor; be sure to keep them in place using grip tape or other similar products.

 

 

Maintaining Wood Flooring

To maintain the look of your wooden flooring, our Impero Elite Reviving Wax protects it against everyday wear and tear, while reducing the appearance of scratches.

 

Reviving Wax is a water-based, natural solution which will not leave smear marks. Available on its own or as part of our Complete Clean, Care & Revive Kit, easily apply the wax with your Spray Mop by adding 20 ml of the solution, then fill the tank with water. The advanced drying process means in just 1 hour your flooring will be ready to polish off and admire.

 

The wax rejuvenates the look of your wood flooring, restoring it back to its former beauty with a beautiful semi-gloss finish. It’s the perfect hassle-free way your maintain your wooden floor.

 

Wood repair kits can also come in handy if there is major damage to your flooring. These work by filling in deep scratches, with a wax that matches the colour of your flooring. 

 

Sanding and refinishing your wood can bring even the most tired-looking wooden floors back to life. By sanding down the top layer, you’re left with a new surface that can be re-finished to create a new-looking floor. If you have laminate flooring, you won’t be able to sand and re-finish, as the top layer is a printed image, and will therefore cause irreversible damage. 

 

Our Osmo oil range provides the necessary protection for wood flooring. With unfinished flooring, you can use the oil to give the flooring a new colour and extra protection.

 

Wrap-Up

Weekly

• Clean off any dust or dirt that accumulates on the wood. For best results, use a microfibre cloth.

Monthly

• Use a flat-headed spray mop to clean your flooring. Only ever use certified wood floor cleaners – never any home remedies

Every six months

• Use Impero Elite Reviving Wax to keep the wood as fresh as possible.

Every 5 years

• Apply a maintenance coat of oil to replenish the finish.
• You may also want to sand and refinish your flooring.

 

Being able to maintain wood flooring is simple. If you follow the advice in this guide, your floor has the potential to last decades. Remember that overuse of liquid is wood flooring’s worst enemy, and using it sparingly keeps your floor looking great without causing lasting damage.

 

If you have any questions or queries on this topic be sure to give us a call on 03308 088 777.  

The post Caring for wooden flooring: the do’s and don’ts appeared first on Direct Wood Flooring Blog.

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These days, hardwood flooring is a popular choice to create a timelessness elegance in any space. However, if you have children, there are an extra set of considerations you may need to think about before simply opting for a style you find aesthetically pleasing.

Hardwood flooring can sometimes be a little more temperamental than other floor surfaces such as tiles and carpet. While it’s an impossible task to keep any style of floor immaculate with children around – spills, muddy footprints and general play are all par for the course, right? –  certain hardwood flooring can be impacted by children much more than the other options.

That said, hardwood flooring can be the perfect addition to your family home (and can actually make it more child-friendly), especially if you make the right decision from the outset.

Here are the top 5 reasons you should consider hardwood flooring in your family home.

1. Some Hardwood Flooring Can Be More Durable Than Other Flooring Options

Durability is key when you have kids around, so choosing a wood that will stand the test your children put them through is essential.

Bamboo offers many benefits in this department; the perfect balance between stamina and style. While Bamboo has a similar appearance to timber, it is actually a harder substance, meaning that when the kids forget that the house isn’t their personal playground, there is less chance the floors will be scratched. Furthermore, bamboo is resistant to stains. Perfect for the inevitable spills that your little darlings will send its way!

But bamboo isn’t your only option. There are a number of durable hardwood flooring options which may be a good choice for you. Here’s a hot tip: before you set your sights on a wood you just love, check its Janka rating which will tell you just how durable it is. If it’s low, say no!

2. Lighter-Toned Woods can Disguise Dirt

You wouldn’t be alone if you thought that darker-colored woods would be perfect for hiding dirt, dust and debris. However, when it comes to hardwood flooring, the opposite applies. 

Light-colored hardwoods such as cherry or oak are a couple of options to consider for the family home because they minimize the appearance of dust and brighten up your living space. Certain light-colored options will help you maintain that effortless look without spending hours cleaning, which is a definite bonus when you’re too busy with the kids or you forgot it was your turn to host your family summer cookout!

3. Hardwood Floors Are Less Likely to Stain Than Carpets

With the kids running amok and that cup of juice sitting precariously close to the table’s edge, it won’t be long before it comes crashing down and spills all over your floor. This is where hardwood flooring really comes into its own, basking in its child-friendly glory! Unlike carpet, wooden floors are much less likely to stain. Simply wipe up the mess to remove any remnants of the accident!

4. Hardwood Floors Are a Healthier Alternative

Carpet and thick rugs collect dirt and food scraps like sponges. With hardwood floors, there are no worries that your little ones will be exposed to harmful substances trapped in the floor beneath them. After all, for most children, the floor is where they spend most of their playtime, so carpets provide the perfect breeding ground for them to get sick; hardwood flooring virtually eliminates that issue.

Not only this, hardwood floors are also a great alternative for children who suffer from allergies since they are less likely to collect pesky pollens or animal fur. If health and safety are a concern for you, hardwood floors are a great non-toxic choice for your family.

5. Hardwood Floors Are Easy To Clean

Let’s face it, life with kids means endlessly cleaning up after them. With that said, making decorating decisions to make clean up easier is definitely something that all parents should be thinking about. Enter, hardwood flooring.

Although hardwood flooring does come with a set of maintenance requirements, when it comes to cleaning up spills quickly, this versatile flooring option comes out on top. Unlike with carpet, you won’t be reaching for that hot bucket of water and a myriad of cleaning products when your little ones drop their cereal on the way to the table. You can simply wipe up the mess with a paper towel and run a slightly damp sponge over the area to remove any sticky residue. Easy!