HARDWOOD FLOOR
CARE & MAINTENANCE
for the Consumer
from Bane-Clene®
Hardwood floor care and maintenance is important for preserving the beauty of your wood floors. Like any floor covering, real wood floors will show signs of wear over time, depending on the size and lifestyle of your family. But, by observing a few precautions, and using the cleaning and hardwood floor maintenance program recommended by the manufacturer, you can expect years of beauty from your wood floor.
HARDWOOD FLOOR CARE
For general cleaning, use a dust mop or wipe occasionally with a damp cotton or cloth mop. If heavier cleaning is needed, an occasional damp mopping with Wood Floor Cleaner or LamanatorPlus Buff Dry Cleaner and Revitalizer using the Wood Floor Mop for Consumer is suggested. Do not use soap, oil, wax-based products, or any type of polish as they leave a dull, filmy residue. Do not use paste wax or cleaners that contain lemon oil, tung oil or ammonia as this may damage your floor and void your warranty. Do not flood your floor with water. There are several popular consumer products on the market that leave a dirt-attracting hazy film that show foot prints.
Never use oily, waxy products such as Orange Glo®, Murphey's Oil Soap®, Holloway House®, Mop and Glo® and similar products available at hardware stores and discount stores. These products often leave an oily, soil-attracting, shine reducing residue that is sometimes hard to remove if many layers are applied over time.
To help eliminate fine particles of dirt and grit that act like sandpaper and will scratch any floor, vacuum or sweep daily. The vacuum head must be a felt or brush type. Be certain that the wheels of the vacuum are clean and do not damage the finish. DO NOT USE A VACUUM CLEANER WITH A BEATER BAR HEAD.
Hardware floor care and maintenance is important for preserving the beauty of your floors. Like any floor covering, real laminate floors will show signs of wear over time, depending on the size and lifestyle of your family. But, by observing a few precautions, and using the cleaning and hardwood floor maintenance program recommended by the manufacturer, you can expect years of beauty from your laminate floor.
Place walk-off mats at each entry way to trap dirt and grit that might be tracked in. These tiny particles act like sandpaper and will scratch your floor. Be sure to avoid using rubber-backed or non-ventilated mats as they may damage your floor. Instead, use mats designed especially for use on wood or laminate floors and remember to shake them out regularly. As added protection, use dirt-trapping walk-off mats at all exterior doors to keep sand, dirt, grit, grease and oil off your floor.
In addition to entry ways, be sure to place mats in any areas where water may be splashed such as near a sink or tub.
Remove shoes with spiked or damaged heels before walking on the floor. Spike or stiletto high-heel shoes may cause denting and related damage to wood floors due to the extremely high compressive force they generate. Such footwear can produce dynamic loads in excess of 1,000 pounds per square inch, even when worn by someone of slight or average build.
Hardware floor care requires that you never clean or mop your wood floor with water. Do not use any wax or cleaner that must be mixed with water such as oil, soap, or paste wax products or other household cleaners that contain lemon oil, tung oil, or ammonia as this may damage your floor and result in a loss of warranty.
HARDWOOD MAINTENANCE
For hardwood floor maintenance, remove spills promptly using a soft cloth and cleaning products recommended by the manufacturer. Be sure to keep pet nails trimmed and paws clean and free of dirt, gravel, grease, oil and stains. Place protective pads beneath furniture legs to reduce scratches and dents. Use a dolly and protective sheets of plywood when moving heavy objects, furniture or appliances. Some objects may be too heavy to move across a hardwood floor under any circumstances.
Certain types of casters on furniture may damage wood flooring. Barrel-type wheels (a minimum 1" continuous width is recommended) or wide, flat glides are best for hardwood floor care and protection.
A humidifier is recommended to prevent excessive shrinkage of wood floors due to low humidity levels. Wood stoves and electric heat tend to cause very dry conditions. In damp conditions, proper humidity levels can be maintained with an air conditioner or dehumidifier, or by periodically turning on your heating system during periods of high humidity in the summer months.
Exposure to the sun and its UV rays accelerates the oxidation and aging of wood and fabrics. This causes the stain and/or wood to fade and/or change color. It is recommended that you rearrange rugs and furniture periodically so the floor ages evenly.
REMOVAL OF RESIDUES FROM ORANGE GLO®, MURPHEY® OIL SOAP, HOLLOWAY HOUSE®, MOP & GLO®:
If you do a "Google™ search" on the web, you'll find thousands of complaints about a white, hazy, cloudy film on their hardwood and laminate floors after using these products, especially Orange Glo®, with most consumers extemely angry about what the products have done to their floors - resulting in oily, streaking, dirt-attracting residues and visible footprints. Of course, this is sometimes due to overuse of the products, but most of the consumers say they used the products according to label directions.
Many consumers found that using diluted Windex Concentrate at 1:3 with water and "elbow grease" will cut through and remove the film. Some professionals have found that using Windex Concentrate diluted 1:3 with water and a red pad on a buffer will easily cut through the film, followed by a clear water rinse. Of course, minimal water should be used and water should never be used on a bare floor. LamanatorPlus™ Deep Scrub is also effective in removing this film.
Directions from Orange Glo's customer service line:
- Mix 1/2 cup of ammonia with 1 gallon of warm water.
- Apply solution to floor with mop in inconspicuous place first to test.
- Once you determine it's okay to use on your floors...apply to floor and let stand for 5 minutes.
- Wipe up the solution with a clean soft cloth.
- Wipe with circular motion if there is more of a build up.
- According to how much build up you have...you might have to repeat the process until it's all off.
Consumer Wood Floor Care Products:
Hardwood and Laminate Flooring Information:
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