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Alberta

Nufloors Camrose

#3 3810 48th Avenue Camrose, AB T4V 3Z8

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Nufloors Fort McMurray

8329 Fraser Avenue, Fort McMurray, AB T9H 1W9

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Nufloors Grande Prairie

#101, 13501-100 Street Grande Prairie, AB T8V 4H4

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Nufloors La Crete

10201 99th Street, La Crête, AB T0H 2H0

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Nufloors Medicine Hat

502 D Maple Avenue SE Medicine Hat, AB T1A 3A8

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Nufloors Red Deer

7711 50th Avenue, Red Deer, AB

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Nufloors Sherwood Park

192 2181 Premier Way Sherwood Park, AB T8H 2V1

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Nufloors Slave Lake

204 4 Avenue Northeast, Slave Lake, AB

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Nufloors Stony Plain

75 Boulder Boulevard #101, Stony Plain, AB T7Z 1V6

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British Columbia

Nufloors Castlegar

4370 Minto Road Castlegar, BC V1N 4B3

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Nufloors Comox Valley

2920-A Moray Avenue Courtenay, BC V9N 7S7

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Nufloors Creston

1518 Northwest Blvd. Creston, BC V0B 1G6

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Nufloors Fernie

391 1 Avenue Fernie, BC V0B 1M0

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Nufloors Kamloops

834 Laval Crescent Kamloops, BC V2C 5P3

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Nufloors Kelowna

1-2121 Springfield Road Kelowna, BC V1Y 7X1

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Nufloors Langley

304 20771 Langley By Pass Langley, BC V3A 5E8

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Nufloors Langley Outlet

101 20771 Langley Bypass, Langley, BC V3A 5E8

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Nufloors Penticton

101 1397 Fairview Road Penticton, BC V2A 6A1

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Nufloors Quesnel

162 Front Street Quesnel, BC V2J 2K1

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Nufloors Salmon Arm

775 Lakeshore Drive S.W. Salmon Arm, BC V1E 1E4

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Nufloors Terrace

4730 Keith Avenue Terrace, BC V8G 4K1

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Nufloors Vernon

102 4708 34th Street Vernon, BC V1T 5Y9

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Nufloors Vernon Outlet

4400 29th Street, Vernon, BC

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Nufloors West Kelowna

4-1726 Byland Road,West Kelowna, BC, V1Z 1A9

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Ontario

Nufloors Quinte

415 Maitland Drive #2 Belleville, ON K8N 0N4

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Nufloors Simcoe

41 Park Road Simcoe, ON N3Y 4J9

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Saskatchewan

Nufloors Saskatoon

402 48 Street East Saskatoon, SK S7K 5T9

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The Dirt on Maintaining Hardwood Floors

By , On , In Care & Maintenance, Hardwood Flooring

Dirt and dust are not only an annoyance, but when it comes to maintaining hardwood floors they can be harmful. In this blog, we will share tips on how to prevent dirt and dust from damaging your hardwood floors, as well as how to properly clean your floor, which is the key to the longevity of your investment.

brown well maintained hardwood floors from Armstrong Flooring

 

Dirt and dust, what is it?

Dirt and dust are made up of many different substances and elements found in our homes to make one complex substance. These different substances eventually break down, scatter together, and accumulate into complex dirt and dust particles. Complex dirt found in homes will typically contain standard elements like clay and sand. However, unexpected elements such as cooking oils, dyes, dead skin cells, food particles, pollen, salts, and allergens from dust mites can also be found in complex dirt and dust particles.

How does dirt and dust get in our homes?

Husky dog laying on hardwood floor

The number one way dirt is tracked inside is from our shoes and improperly cleaned entryway rugs, where particles then get transferred by sticking to socks or becoming airborne.  Things like lawn chemicals or coal tar from asphalt roads can get tracked into your house via your shoes. 

For maintaining your hardwood floors, removing your shoes is the best way to avoid this. In addition, try using two doormats – one inside and one outside. This will double the chance of trapping dirt before it lands on your hardwood floor. Vacuum your mats regularly.

Other contributors include humans, pets, open windows or doors (especially on the windy days), and kitchens. When food is spilled, and pieces are left behind on the floor, it will dull the finish and attract additional dirt.  It also will get broken down into particles that get carried throughout the house by air or foot traffic.  Spills happen.  Blot spills immediately with an absorbent cloth to remove any residue and buff dry.

Dirt & Dust Causing Floor Damage

There are three ways dirt and dust cause damage to hardwood floors: discolouration, scratches and abrasions, and swelling or cracking.

  • Discolouration: heavy foot traffic will break dirt and dust down into grime, which sticks to the floor, makes it look dull and blotchy, and over time can work its way into small cracks and wood grains. This causes deep discolouration and is difficult to remove without sanding and refinishing.
  • Scratches and abrasions: when a human or pet comes in contact with large, coarse particles on the hardwood floor, it can cause damage by creating scratches and abrasions. Not only does this create an unpleasant look, it also forms perfect traps for grime to hide, resulting in more deep discolouration.
  • Swelling and cracking: scratches and abrasions expose more of the wood to water, which can lead to swelling and cracking of the hardwood floor.
dog waits for walking with leash at front door, sitting on mat on hardwood floor

How to Clean and Maintain Hardwood Floors

To clean and maintain hardwood floors, start by regularly sweeping or vacuuming to remove dirt and debris. Use a damp mop with a professional hardwood floor cleaner to gently clean the surface. Avoid excess water and harsh chemicals, as they can damage the wood. Wipe up spills promptly to prevent staining, and place mats at entryways to trap dirt and moisture. Consider using furniture pads to protect the floors from scratches. And lastly, schedule professional maintenance, such as sanding and refinishing, as needed to keep your hardwood floors looking their best.

Prevention is Key

It is best to be proactive when it comes to preventing damage to your hardwood floors, simply by trying to reduce the amount of dust and dirt coming in from outside. Use these simple tips to limit the amount of dust being tracked inside and around your home:

  • Ensure shoes are removed before walking on the floors.
  • Place a rug inside and outside each entrance way as well as in high traffic areas.
  • Regularly clean/vacuum the entryway areas.
  • Keep windows and doors closed as much as possible.
  • Use felt protectors on furniture to prevent scratches and abrasions.
  • Throw away the broom. Consider either misting spray mops (Bona Hardwood Cleaners) or microfibre cleaning pads, which are more effective for trapping and collecting dirt and dust.
  • Vacuum regularly. Nothing removes dirt and fine debris from a hardwood floor like a good vacuum cleaner. Make sure you use it with the oval floor brush head.  Avoid using a rotating brush head as the bristles may scratch your floor.
  • Most important: establish your own cleaning routine. Dust and dirt will inevitably find its way into your home, so the best way to prevent damage is regular cleaning and dusting of your floors.

These tips will ensure your beautiful hardwood floors looks great for decades. If you want to learn more about maintaining your hardwood floors, be sure to download our Hardwood Floor Care brochure. If you have questions, be sure to reach out! We’re here to help.

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