FLOOR CARE AND MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS
Congratulations on choosing a Classicfloor hardwood timber floor. As long as you follow our tips for care and maintenance, your hardwood timber floor should continue to look fantastic and should wear well for many years to come.
Maintenance
- Dirt and grit are a timber floors worst enemy. Not only does it hide the gleam of polished floorboards, its abrasiveness actually harms floorboards too. Use dirt trapping, breathable (such as a woven fabric) mats without solid rubber or vinyl backing (to prevent moisture entrapment), internally and externally, at each entrance to help prevent sand, dust and grit from being trodden inside. Small rugs, or carpet squares, just in side the door can also help to remove extra dirt from shoes. Dust daily, if possible, with an electrostatic broom.
- Wipe up spills immediately before they get sticky or dry.
- Strong light, particularly direct sunlight, can cause a chemical reaction in wood causing it to change colour (ageing or weathering). Move the rugs occasionally and use curtains or blinds to protect the floor from direct sunlight.
- High heel shoes, especially worn ones, will dent any hard floor surface, even concrete! Encourage your visitors to take off their high heels on arrival.
- With furniture, it is not so much their weight but movement that damages floorboards. Fit protective pads to the legs of tables and chairs so that they can be moved easily without the risk of scuffing the floor.
- Pets with long claws can scratch and dull the floor finish, requiring extra maintenance or premature recoating. Keep pet nails trimmed.
- Maintain a reasonably stable indoor temperature humidity range. Average Relative Humidity should be maintained between 40-70% and the average temperature should be between 18-25oC. The temperature inside the dwelling should not exceed 35oC. Do not put timber flooring outside, or in an uncontrolled environment where extreme temperatures or humidity levels are experienced.
- In case of any damage on the lacquer surface, eg by furniture movements, etc, get advice from a qualified layer or tradesman who understands timber flooring. If you prefer DIY repairs, smooth the affected areas with 120-150 grid sandpaper followed by touch lacquering the damaged area. It is advised to test the lacquer material used on some hidden surface or corner of the floor beforehand to judge the expected results first.
Cleaning
- Keep dirt off the floor. Dust, mop or vacuum regularly and keep doormats clean.
- Sweep with a clean soft bristle broom or electrostatic sweep mop. Vacuuming is fine too, as long as the vacuum doesnt scratch the floorboards the vacuum head must be a brush or felt type. Also ensure that the wheels of the vacuum are clean and free wheeling so as not to damage the coating. Do not use a vacuum cleaner with beater bar heads.
- Use only top quality floor mops and thoroughly wash new mops to remove any lint remaining from the manufacturing process.
- Wash the floor with an almost dry sponge mop using a mixture of a ½ cup of white vinegar or methylated spirits to a half bucket of cold water they help cut through floor waxes without harming the finish. Wipe the floor dry as you go so that water remains on the floor for as little time as possible.
- Do not wet mop a timber floor or use water-based cleaners. Water can change the moisture balance within timbers and cause floorboards to ridge or buckle so it should be used sparingly and remain on the floor for the shortest time possible.
- Wipe up spills promptly with a dry cloth or dry paper towel. For sticky substances, moisten the cloth slightly. For hard to remove fatty or greasy spills, use a neutral pH degreasing cleanser from specialist cleaning or floor shops.
NB: Under no circumstances should you use household detergents on your floor! If required, specialty floor finishing companies manufacture and distribute timber floor cleaning products which when used to the manufacturers recommendations, excellent results may be obtained
Warranty does not cover any repairs to the floor by any party.