Protect Your Purchase
Hardwood floors are a lifetime investment and you have spent a considerable amount of money to beautify and add value to your home.
Most important in keeping your investment at peak condition (healthy) is to allow for the right room climate by maintaining a stable environment in the home. To keep your investment healthy, a room temperature of 60° to 80° F and a humidity range of 30-50% are recommended year round. (The use of a humidifier or de-humidifier may be required.)
Preventive Maintenance
Today’s hardwood floors are quick & easy to maintain, and with a few low cost cleaning tools and a little preventative maintenance can look beautiful for years to come. In addition to maintaining a stable environment, your hardwood floor should be cleaned regularly. Simply sweep, dust mop or vacuum to remove dirt & grit. When necessary clean your floor with a hardwood floor cleaning product.
Carefully follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions. Avoid using a wet mop as over time this can damage the finish. Remember: water & wood do not mix.
All purpose cleaners are not recommended as they can dull your floor’s finish or leave a hazy residue.
LAWSON recommends Bona® cleaning products. However, it is important to use the appropriate Bona cleaning product. For NON-OILED, urethane/lacquer finished wood use Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner.
Dos and Don’ts
DOS
Sweep, dust mop, or vacuum the floor regularly. Use a vacuum designed for hard surfaces. If vacuum has a beater bar (rotating bristle brush) it should be disengaged before use.
Immediately wipe up liquid spills with cloth or paper towels.
Maintain with the appropriate floor cleaner.
Use felt protectors or furniture coasters under heavy furniture.
Close curtains or blinds to limit direct sun exposure.
Maintain room temperature (60°–80° F) year round.
Maintain relative humidity in room/building between 30-50% year round.
Caster wheeled chairs should have wide casters.
A protective mat should be placed under office chairs.
In areas with icy or snowy winters, extra protection against salt & grit may be needed.
Place mats and throw rugs at doorways, exteriors and interiors to help prevent the tracking of grit, dirt and sand.
Remember that cleats, sport shoes and high heels can dent any floor surface.
Place an area rug in front of the kitchen sink to catch water
DON’TS
Use oil based soaps.
Use paste wax based products
Drag sharp wooden legs or metal furniture legs as it can scratch/dent hardwood floors.
Expose to direct sunlight for extended period of time as it may dry/fade natural wood.
Use steam cleaners. They are not recommended for use on natural wood flooring.
Place porous flower pots or vases on the floor.
Use steel wool or scourers.
Move heavy furniture without protecting wood flooring by slipping a piece of cloth or pile under the legs or bottom of items.
Ever wet-mop a wood floor. Standing water can dull a finish, damage the wood and leave a discoloring residue.