Wood Flooring Care Guide
The timeless look and impressive durability make engineered wood a popular choice for those wanting the luxury of solid wood flooring without the expense of maintenance involved.
It's constructed from layers of timber board topped with a veneer of real wood, giving it a classic, natural appearance and the ability to stand up to family life. Like any floor, it'll last longer and stay looking its best if you follow a few simple steps to keep it at its best.
Let's break down everything you need to know about engineered wood flooring maintenance.
Three things to remember for wood flooring care
Use a flat mop rather than a stringy mop. It'll reduce the amount of water that accumulates on the surface of your flooring and prevent warping or stains.
A dry microfibre dust mop is perfect for picking up day-to-day dust and debris from the floor without scratching.
Never use harsh chemicals or abrasives to clean your wood flooring.
How to clean engineered wood flooring
How to clean engineered wood flooring
- It's best to sweep or vacuum your engineered wood flooring daily if you can. A broom works fine, or you can use your vacuum cleaner if it has a hard flooring attachment or setting.
- Always sweep or vacuum before mopping. This prevents dirt from gathering in any crevices and prevents scratching. A dust mop works well for this too.
Which cleaning products can you use on engineered wood?
Cleaning engineered wood regularly will keep it looking good and help prolong its life in the long run too. However, there are some things you need to remember about the products you can use.
- Wax-based cleaners or harsh detergents will damage the surface of your flooring. Always check the label of any product you buy. They'll usually indicate whether or not they're suitable for engineered wood.
- Abrasive materials, like steel wool or wire brushes, should never be used to clean engineered wood. They'll scratch the surface, leaving obvious marks, ruining the appearance of your floor.
- However you've cleaned it, always rinse your wood flooring with clean water afterwards and dry it.
Can you mop engineered wood flooring?
In short, yes. Here are our tips for making sure you get the best results and avoid water damage.
- Use a flat bottom mop rather than a traditional stringy mop head, as it won't dribble water in the same way, reducing the risk of surface water accumulating.
- Mop up any spills as soon as you can. Excess water will soak into the flooring if it's left, causing irreversible damage to the flooring.
- Always use two buckets. One with your cleaning solution, and one with cleaning water. Always rinsing with clean water after every pass.
How to maintain engineered wood flooring
One of the benefits of engineered wood is that, despite it looking exactly the same as solid wood, it has a much more stable structure. This makes it easier to maintain and less susceptible to expansion and contraction in changes of humidity and temperature.
Despite its hardness, there are a few things you need to do to make sure you get the most out of your flooring.
How to protect engineered wood flooring from moisture
Engineered wood flooring deals with some moisture but it should never be allowed to get soaking wet. Only ever use a mop that has been well wrung out, and clean up any spills or splashes as soon as possible to prevent damage.
How to protect engineered wood flooring from dents and scratches
Some thin dents and scratches add character to a wooden floor, while others prefer to keep it looking prestine. Whatever your opinion, we've gathered the best tips for preventing damage to your floor so you have all the info you need:
- Use furniture pads under legs and castors.
- Tiny scratches from dust and grit build up over time, so sweep and vacuum regularly to maintain a flawless finish.
- Doormats will help stop external dirt being trod all over your floor.
- Avoid stiletto or spike heels on the flooring. They can cause considerable damage and disproportionate wear to the top layer of engineered wood flooring.
How to repair engineered wood flooring
Engineered wood flooring can be sanded down to remove any surface blemishes, so don't worry if you find a scratch or mark. Once you've sanded you can revarnish or wax the flooring easily. You can also use this method if you want to change the colour of your flooring.
You can also buy specialist wood flooring repair kits to match any shade of wood in most DIY stores. If you have a flooring that uses a click system, you can replace heavily damaged areas by replacing the damaged plank.
Because of its construction, engineered wood flooring can only be sanded two or three times, depending on the thickness of the wood veneer.
Top Tips
DO's
Vacuum regularly
Clear up spills quickly
Use a flat bottom mop
Put doormats and rugs by doors
Keep pets’ nails trimmed
Use furniture pads under table legs and castors
DON'T
Over wet the flooring if attempting to remove stains
Use wax-based cleaners
Use steel wool
Use harsh detergents
Wear high heels
Place in direct sunlight
Further Reading
Engineered wood is a stunning, durable choice for any home. We hope our guide helps you get the most out of your flooring.
If you're thinking about replacing your existing wooden flooring, or installing it for the first time, why not check out our range of engineered wood flooring? We even have a buying guide to make the decision easier for you.