Wood is one of the world’s most versatile floor coverings, providing traditional beauty with practical advantages. The first piece of furniture you might say;

• Lasting good looks
• Resists stains, including wine and food
• Warm to the touch
• Easy to clean
• Fully restorable
• Hygienic and dust free, especially good for allergy sufferers.

Different Species

All wood floors have a different grading as to their hardness and resistance to wear, although their natural properties can be greatly enhanced by the type of finish put on them.

Initial Cleaning

If your floor has been sealed on site do not use water or any cleaning products on it for the first couple of weeks as it may not be fully cured and may consequently mark more easily. We suggest that you just dry mop, vacuum or sweep the floor to keep the dirt and grit off in this initial period.

Stop Dirt and Grit

It doesn’t matter what finish you have on your floor there is one thing to remember. Dirt and grit act like sandpaper to destroy the protective surface of a wood floor. Vacuum, sweep or dust regularly using the Osmo® OPTI SET mop, We recommend and stock the OSMO® range of products. When necessary, wipe clean with Wash & Care added to water; for more stubborn marks try Osmo® Liquid Wax Cleaner, both also applied using the OPTI SET mop.

Do not use strong household detergents such as Flash as this will remove the surface coating.

Use Door Mats

Keep dirt and grit from coming in from outside areas by using walk-off mats placed at all exterior doors.

Care when moving heavy Furniture or Appliances

Apply Feltgard® Floor Protector Pads
All moveable pieces of furniture need soft, clean pads on the bottom of the legs or supports. We recommend and stock Feltgard® products in our showroom. It is particularly important that furniture removal companies are made to take special care when delivering new furniture, especially on a lacquered floor. Remember to pick up heavy furniture and do not slide it across the floor. It is a good idea to rent a furniture dolly with soft rubber wheels or an “air sled”. We supply floor guards from Felt Gard® which enable you to move your furniture, or appliances forward for servicing, without gouging your floor.

Normal Climatic Conditions

Whilst few homes in the U.K. have climate control, it is advisable to keep rooms, where wood floors have been installed, within a comfortable range of relative humidity and temperature.

Humidity should be a minimum of 45% and a maximum of 65% and temperatures between 18 and 22 degrees Celsius. Keeping the flooring within these bands will keep the seasonal expansion and contraction of the floor to a reasonable level. Moving outside these parameters may lead to more extravagant movement.

What about Cracks in the Floor

Wood floors are very sensitive to their surrounding climate. Seasonal cracking is a common occurrence. They expand in humid conditions in summer and contract when the air becomes dry, usually due to central heating being on in winter. Using a humidifier or dehumidifier in conjunction with a heating/cooling system is recommended.

High Heels

While high heels in good repair may not damage wood floors ones where the rubber is missing expose a nail head and this will concentrate a person’s weight on a very small area (a 9st woman will exert approximately 1.5 tonnes of pressure per inch via her heel). This kind of force can dent and pit wood floors, fracture ceramic tile and perforate vinyl. We recommend asking people to remove damaged shoes!

Pets

Dog and cat claws can scratch a wood floor. It is a good idea to trim them regularly but try to encourage vigorous play – outside!

Use Area Rugs

Some areas of the house experience more wear than others. Kitchens, especially in front of the sink, always have a lot of traffic. Area rugs can be used to protect high-traffic areas. Make sure they are kept clean and dry. Shake them out and vacuum all throw rugs frequently. Heavy wear areas can also be topped up with Osmo Liquid Wax Cleaner as necessary.

Rugs

Many people are shocked when an area rug is moved and there is an outline of the rug on the floor. This happens because the sunlight hits one part of the “uncovered” floor and does not reach the floor under the rug. This discolouration can be avoided by moving the rugs often or by using a finish with a UV block when it is time to refinish. If you remove the rug completely, the colour will blend eventually but it will take a while, so be patient!

Moisture

Moisture is the biggest enemy of timber, but there is no problem provided excess moisture is not allowed to stay in contact with the floor for prolonged periods. Any spillage should be quickly removed with an absorbent cloth or mop.

Indoor Potted Plants

Never place plants directly on a wood floor even if they are in a waterproof saucer. Always use trivets or short stands under the pot and saucer so that air can circulate underneath. This will prevent condensation on the saucer from damaging the wood floor. It will also be easier to see if the plant is over watered or if water has spilled onto the floor. Felt Gard® also make pads for placing under heavy plants making them easier to move.

Scratches, Normal Wear and Tear

Whilst a newly oiled floor is touch dry and ok to walk on in 24 hours remember that it will generally take another 7-10 days for the finish to fully cure to its final hardness, so a little more care than normal during this period will pay dividends in the long run.

The most important thing to do about scratches is to find the cause and take preventative measures to remedy the problem. Scuffing or high traffic wear areas mean gritty shoes or dirty floors. A throw rug may be needed to protect from further damage.

Lightly scratched areas, which have not worn down to the raw wood, can sometimes be buffed. This will shine up the area and match the sheen of the rest of the floor making the damage less obvious, try OSMO® Liquid Wax Cleaner after applying Wash & Care.

A deep scratch or gouge often cannot be repaired as easily especially on a lacquered floor. Usually the only solution is to putty the mark and wait to fix it when other work is done on the floor. Repairs often show more because the newly repaired wood does not match the existing, older floor colour. However with an oiled floor it is sometimes easier. The floor can be repaired and the specific area blended with the existing floor by re-oiling.

If the damage is more severe than this then it is best to consult a professional. In extreme cases the floor can be completely sanded and resealed. The beauty of a real wood floor is that it can be restored to its original state quite simply. Even with normal wear and tear both oiled and lacquered floors should be maintained with OSMO® Liquid Wax Cleaner, this helps clean the floor thoroughly and top up the surface protection. This will help extend the period between recoating and ensure many years of extended pleasure. Every 6 months is adequate in most domestic areas but it can be done more often in areas of heavy wear – eg; near the front door, in hallways and kitchens or in commercial environments. You cannot do it too often.