Protecting Your Reclaimed Wood Flooring During The Holidays
The holiday season brings lots of wear and tear to your reclaimed wood floors
. Even though this type of floor is composed of reclaimed lumber that had been previously used for other purposes, if you properly maintain and protect it, it will look practically identical to traditional virgin wood flooring.
Don't worry though; even with family and friends tromping back and forth over your floors, and the spills from festive foods and drinks, protecting your reclaimed wood flooring isn't as difficult or tasking as it may appear.
Here are some simple measures you can take to protect your wood floors from the holidays:
No-Shoes Policy
Shoes are a problem for your reclaimed wood flooring. They can carry water, snow and dirt, which can cause scratches, water marks and slip hazards. These elements also remove the finish on your reclaimed lumber, which in turn exposes the floor even more and shortens its life.
The best way to handle this situation is to enforce a no-shoes policy to help protect your reclaimed wood floors. Provide a shoe rack and a place to perch while people take off their shoes in the entryway of your home. Include a basket with no-slip slippers near the shoe rack.
If a no-shoes policy doesn't seem likely for your friends and family, have walk-off mats on both sides of the door so people can thoroughly wipe their feet before entering your home.
Adding Layers
The winter season is quite chilly. By placing rugs in high-traffic areas - such as gathering spaces, on either side of beds, hallways, etc. - you are not only protecting your reclaimed wood flooring from heavy foot traffic, furniture and dropped objects, but you are also aiding in keeping your guests' toes warmer.
Cleanliness
By cleaning your reclaimed wood floors, you are protecting them from scratches and water damage while making your home look beautiful at the same time. A good regimen to follow is to sweep your reclaimed wood flooring with either a soft- bristled broom or dry sweeping cloth daily and vacuum once a week.
Spill Patrol
Holidays are all about great food and drinks as well as surrounding yourself with friends and family, which of course goes hand-in-hand with accidents and spills. Though you can't really control accidents or spills, you can be prepared for when they happen on your reclaimed floors. Create a spill kit to keep on hand; include a bucket filled with a set of clean rags, white vinegar, extra-fine steel wool, mineral spirits and floor wax. If your reclaimed wood flooring is already surface-sealed, all you need to do is wipe up the mess with dry rag - or for stickier situations, use a dampened rag with water or a white vinegar/water solution. For unfinished or waxed reclaimed wood floors, it may be necessary to re-wax the affected areas. If you rub steel wool and mineral spirits in a circular motion, you can remove water spots from your floor's finish.
For candle wax spills on your reclaimed lumber, allow the wax to harden first. Then use a card or plastic putty knife to lift off or gently remove the wax. If there is any waxy residue left over, rub a used dryer sheet over the area. Then use a hairdryer on a low heat setting and attempt to melt the remaining wax, using paper towels to lift it. Lastly, use a cloth with an equal mixture of white vinegar and water to clean the area.
In order to have reclaimed wood flooring that will last you for many holidays to come, make sure to properly maintain and protect it.
by: Michael Clark
Forts And Palaces Tours Of Rajasthan: Experience Oriental Opulence Of The Desert Land The 95% Failure Factor Online and How To Avoid It Wearing Womens Loafers Slimming Tea- A Natural Weight Loss Supplement The Best Toys This Season Local Philippines: Loco Over Oriental Mindoro by:Allan Leandro Merin Where To Buy Diy Shutters Watch St. Louis Blues vs Vancouver Canucks Online via PC STREAM Luxor Sightseeing Tour From Cairo By Flight Need Cash Till Payday- Grab Instant Cash No Matter About Financial Status Reviews of fable 3 Google Cash Income - How to make quick money online Could An Iva Be The Solution To Your Debt Problems?