With summer quickly approaching, it’s time to start preparing for the warm, sunny days. We take steps to protect our skin during the summer months, but many people don’t realize that it’s also important to protect your hardwood floors from the sunlight, heat, and humidity. With these simple tips, you can keep your floors looking beautiful all summer long.
Protecting Your Floors From Sunlight
There are multiple ways in which you can protect your flooring from fading due to sunlight exposure. If you are building a new house or addition that involves the selection of new windows, you would be wise to consider low e-glass windows. There is a broad selection but the bottom line is that this type of window will help reduce the two components of sunlight that are the most destructive – UV (ultraviolet) and IR (infrared). If you have to work with older existing windows, you have the option of looking into a variety of window films. The most inexpensive way to protect is simply having window treatments. Installing blinds or curtains and keeping them closed during the hottest and brightest part of the days will keep the sunlight from damaging your beautiful wood floors.
Regulate Indoor Humidity Levels
Summer brings high humidity levels, which can damage your hardwood floors. By understanding the affects of these levels of humidity you can take proper measures to keep the humidity within the 35-55% range or within the 60° to 75°F setting in your home. Consider purchasing a dehumidifier for your home, it will absorb excess moisture from the air and help maintain lower humidity levels. Having a dehumidifier will also prevent excessive shrinkage. Proper humidity can also be maintained by turning on your heating system periodically during the summer months. Also be mindful of tracking in extra moisture during those rainy summer nights or coming inside from the pool.
How can you check your humidity levels? Glad you asked. An easy way to test for humidity is to purchase a hygrometer. Make sure to follow provided instructions for your model on how to calibrate the machine, and then set it up in a place away from sunlight or drafts for it to take a measurement. In today’s society it can also be as easy as downloading an App, check out this one and start testing out your humidity levels today.
Clean Your Floors the Right Way
Many people enjoy block parties, barbecues, and cookouts during the summer. Hosting generally means cleaning, so it’s important to know the best way to keep your floors looking great. Vacuuming is preferable to sweeping because it allows the dirt and dust to be pulled from between the boards. Use a vacuum with a bare floor attachment, not a vacuum beater bar, which can damage the hardwood. A canister vacuum is great to have for this type of cleaning. For best results, you should vacuum weekly to ensure your floors receive the proper care they need.
Use Recommended Cleaning Products
We don’t recommend ever polishing or waxing your floors. Wax, detergents, and oil-based soaps actually damage the finish of your floor. It’s important to choose products that have been specifically developed for cleaning hardwood floors. The Impressions Hardwood Floor Cleaning Kit has everything you need to keep your floors looking flawless. It’s 100% residue free, PH neutral, and compatible with all types of urethane and aluminum oxide finishes. Our cleaning kit can now be purchased online at Amazon! With a click of a button, we will send this out of the box, easy to use kit directly to you. Click here to order your kit today!
With these tips, you’ll be able to enjoy a worry-free summer while easily maintaining the classic beauty of your hardwood floors. If you give your hardwood flooring the care it deserves, it will serve your home well and stay looking beautiful for years to come.
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