While the winter can leave floors covered in rainwater, mud and leaves, the summer can be a very mucky time for your floors too, particularly in the hallway and kitchen. So here are some tips on how to keep on top of wooden floor maintenance over the warmer months.
Firstly, lots of time in the garden means kids bring in sand, dust and soil every time they come into the house. These can do a lot of damage to the floor, as the small particles can be abrasive.
Therefore, it is sensible to try to keep the mess outside as much as possible. Sweep the outdoor patio so there is less dirt to bring indoors and have doormats, where people can wipe their shoes.
It is a good idea to get children used to taking their shoes off every time they enter the house, so they don’t keep bringing debris in. Have some slip-on shoes, such as clogs, by the door to make it easier for them to take their shoes on and off in a hurry.
Mats in heavy traffic areas are also sensible, as much of the dust and dirt will settle there, instead of scratching away at your wooden floor. You should also get into the habit of sweeping or vacuuming every day to avoid the mess building up and becoming more damaging.
The summer can also cause sun damage to the floor, especially if you have a bright room, in which case you should consider fitting UV-resistant window films that block the sun’s rays, pulling blinds down or drawing curtains to avoid discolouration of the floor. There’s more chance of spillages and stains over the summer too, due to more cold drinks, ice-creams and ice lollies being consumed. Therefore, be prepared to clean up messes as soon as they happen to avoid staining and stickiness.