Cork Flooring Care and Maintenance

Despite all the numerous benefits of cork flooring, it is important to practice good cleaning habits to get the most out of your investment. Here are some tips for maintaining your cork flooring properly.
 

Light Cleaning

Light cleaning usually calls for the same maintenance you would use on any other floor that you have. This includes vacuuming, sweeping or moping the floor. A vacuum without a beater brush is the best equipment to make sure that dirt and other debris deposited in your cork flooring is removed. When using a mop, it is not advisable to use a wet mop, a damp mop will suffice. If you want to use detergent when mopping, use a light one that is not harsh. You have to keep in mind that minimum amounts of moisture and water should be used on cork flooring. It is recommended that you vacuum cork flooring at least once a week.
 

Use Furniture Protectors

Although cork flooring has the tendency to revert back to its natural form under heavy pressure, it will be safer if you use felt protectors placed on the legs or under your furniture to ensure that no damage will be done to your cork flooring.
 

Place Mats at Entrances

Nobody wants dusty and dirty cork flooring, and to minimize the deposit of dirt and other debris on your cork flooring it is wise to place mats at the entrances. But when choosing a mat you have to be careful because rugs made out of foam and rubber may hinder ventilation and cause fading of the cork flooring. Cork flooring in high activity areas should be refinished after a few years to help maintain its last finishing.
 

Handling Sunlight with Cork Flooring

When cork flooring is exposed to direct sunlight, it will eventually fade. In order to counter this problem, install blinds and curtains so that UV rays won’t damage your cork flooring. Another way to prevent fading is to move your furniture, this will even out the cork flooring in terms of both color and quality.
 

Spills and Stains on Cork Flooring

Spills and stains should be cleaned up immediately because if left alone, it will seep into your cork flooring, damaging the sub floor as well.