Engineered timber flooring is one of the most popular choices due to its durability, natural wood look, and easy installation. To keep this flooring option like the first day, it is important to consider all maintenance and caring dos and don’ts. In this article, we will provide you with the best and easiest techniques, tips, and tricks to maintain your engineered timber flooring in the best way.
What is engineered timber flooring?
Engineered timber is made out of multiple wood layers with a top layer of hardwood veneer. This type of timber flooring also has several underlying plywood or fiberboard layers. This hard construction of engineered timber guarantees its long stability and high resistance against changes like temperature or humidity.
Daily maintenance routine of engineered timber flooring
It is important to clean the engineered timber flooring daily to avoid the accumulation of dirt, dust, and general pollution. However, there are some points to consider about daily maintenance of engineered timber:
1. Regular cleaning
For a regular daily timber flooring maintenance routine, the first and easiest actions are sweeping and dusting. By using a soft broom and a dust mop, you can easily remove dirt and dust from the floored surface without damaging it. Another daily routine, which is recommended for high-traffic areas or places with kids or pets, is vacuuming. Vacuuming can help to remove dirt and dust from the narrow spaces on the surface that cannot be cleaned with normal sweeping. However, you need to consider that this action is better to be done using a soft brush to avoid any scratches on the floor.
2. Removing stains and spills
Removing stains and spills is another part of the routine of engineered timber flooring maintenance. It is crucial to remove spills and clean the surface of the flooring immediately after they happen to prevent future damages that are caused by liquid absorption into the layers of engineered timber flooring. To clean the surface, you can use a simple soft damp cloth for simple stains and spills, and if they are tougher, you can use a mixture of warm water and some drops of dish soap with a soft cloth. Do not overuse the water mixture as it can also damage the flooring and after each cleaning procedure, dry the area completely.
Weekly and monthly maintenance routine of engineered timber flooring
Besides the mentioned daily routine for engineered timber flooring maintenance, it is important to have a regular weekly and even monthly plan for your flooring! Mopping the timber flooring surface using a soft damp cloth once a week is a great way to have the flooring always shiny and clean. Try to use water or suitable engineered timber flooring cleaning products.
💡Do not use too much water or cleaning materials, because they can cause big damage which may lead to the flooring repair or even replacement.
Polishing the surface of the engineered timber flooring every two or three months is another useful plan that should be seen in your maintenance plan. Polishing the surface of the engineered timber, in addition to the shiny look, adds an extra protection layer to the top layer of the wood. For a DIY, you need to clean the flooring, and then apply a thin layer of polishing material.
💡Polishing the flooring surface can be done by yourself, but we highly recommend you ask flooring experts who are experienced enough and consider every condition of flooring before starting the process.
Long-term maintenance of engineered timber flooring
For long-term engineered timber flooring maintenance, three important points should be considered to lengthen the flooring lifespan:
1. Protecting the engineered timber finish
It is important to protect the engineered timber flooring besides all those mentioned cleaning and maintenance routines. Here are some tips about flooring protection:
- Using furniture pads: Try to put pads under furniture legs to avoid scratches and damage to the surface.
- Using rugs and carpets: Using rugs or carpets is another intelligent way to keep the engineered timber flooring safe while improving the interior design.
- Shoe policy: Try to have a no-shoe policy if possible. Shoes can bring dirt and dust with themselves and their heels can cause scratches on the flooring surface.
2. Regular climate control
Another crucial point to consider is climate control. If you have wooden-based flooring like engineered timber, you need to consider the indoor humidity and keep it between 30% to 50% to prevent the wood from expanding and contracting. In addition, pay attention to the indoor temperature. Strong temperature instability can cause damage like gaps and warps in the wooden flooring.
3. Refinishing the engineered timber flooring
Every few years depending on the severity of the engineered timber flooring wear and tear, you may need to recoat the flooring. This includes a light sanding of the top layer of the flooring, and then adding a fresh coating finish. For this aim, always look for a professional flooring service that can provide you with the best and most practical consultation and help you with engineered timber flooring refinishing, installation, and repair. MA Flooring based in Melbourne is always here to help you find the best flooring solution for your areas.
Conclusion
Engineered timber flooring offers the beauty of natural wood along with high durability and resistance. To keep this demanding flooring type for many years without specific damages, you can follow the instructions that are mentioned in this article. You need to have a normal daily routine of cleaning and sweeping and a monthly (or every two or three months) plan of polishing, then a surface recoating plan for the engineered timber flooring every two or three years.