Hardwood flooring really gets a bad rap about its maintenance. There is a reason for it, but that reason is outdated and no longer applicable to the hardwood floors of today. While they were once a time consuming chore, now the maintenance of hardwood flooring is next to nothing. That goes for engineered hardwood as well: easy breezy!

Keeping Engineered Hardwood Clean is Simple

An engineered hardwood floor can be cleaned with minimal effort. Keeping it clean it on a regular basis will also be a major contribution towards retaining it for a long time. Once you know the general guidelines for keeping up your engineered hardwood floor, you’ll be amazed at how exceedingly simple it all really is.

Keeping Your Engineered Hardwood Floor Clean

• Sweep or vacuum with a soft bare flooring attachment. Keep your engineered hardwood floor dry on a regular basis.
• Clean or wipe up spills immediately and make sure you dry the floor. Never over wet the flooring; excessive water/liquid can damage an engineered flooring.
• If required, a damp mop can be used. Limit the use of harsh chemicals.

Protect Your Engineered Hardwood Floor

Place doormats with pads or natural fiber rugs at all entrances. This will keep dirt, debris, grit and small pieces of sand that can damage the finish of the floor at a minimum. Also, keep hiking shoes or shoes with either spikes or athletic heels away from the floor. Furniture legs should be padded with felt protectors or be placed over an area rug to prevent scratching or other damage to your flooring.

A Word About Flooring Products and Engineered Hardwood Floors

Flooring products can be your best friend or worst enemy with regard to the maintenance of engineered hardwood flooring. Some products should never be used and you should consult the manufacturer’s recommendations to discover which those are. Do not use wax-based cleaners, harsh detergents, abrasives, or steel wool to clean an engineered hardwood floor. Also, do not apply finish to an engineered hardwood floor that has already been finished at the factory.

Engineered Hardwood Flooring Care: Consulting with the Pros

Any specific or general guidance about cleaning any type of flooring can be taken from local flooring professionals, local contractors, and DIY outlets. They are a good source of information and help you with the best ways to keep your floors clean, maintained and intact for a sustainable period. They can go over the manufacturer’s recommendations about maintenance and help you select a flooring product that is safe for the floor you chose. They may also be able to give you additional tips and tricks to make maintenance even easier.

Refinishing Engineered Hardwood Floors: Is it Possible?

The one big drawback to installing engineered hardwood flooring is that there is no real way to refinish it unless you specifically select refinishable engineered wood. Because the outer strip of wood on non-refinishable engineered floors is so thin, sanding it down will most likely sand the wood away completely. For this reason, it is a very good idea to keep several flooring planks on hand in case your floor sustains damage. In this way, you will be able to repair your engineered hardwood floor without having to install a completely new floor.

When properly cared floor, your engineered hardwood floor should last you for several decades. The effort required is minimal, so be sure to keep up with the required schedule to keep your floors looking their best. Prevention is always better than a cure.