This floor covering is very pretty, but it is true that it gets damaged quickly. We explained to you how to strip your old oak flooring, but today, we will explain to you how to take care of it. Whether you have a sealed, waxed, varnished, laminated or solid wood floor (particularly solid oak): this article is made for you! Here you will find out how to clean dirt, reduce wear and maintain a parquet floor. Shine guaranteed with regular maintenance and the right non-abrasive care products!
Be careful not to confuse “maintenance” and “renovation”
Here we give you tips for maintaining your parquet floor and keeping it in good condition for many years. However, with wear and tear, damage can occur. We then notice that the parquet floor squeaks or begins to tarnish very visibly. Sometimes it is damaged by scuffs (superficial scratches or deep scratches) or irreparably stained. In the event of water damage, it may even warp or swell. In this case, the simple maintenance may not be enough and we must consider taking action.
You must then think about renovating it, or even carrying out a complete apartment renovation depending on the dilapidation of the premises. In this case, you will need absolutely know the type of parquet used : solid parquet, laminated parquet or laminated parquet? The first two can in fact undergo sanding and the application of an appropriate finish depending on the desired effect (oil, varnish or waxing). As for laminate, it does not have a sufficient wear layer to be sanded. You will therefore not be able to consider this type of renovation work. However, you can very easily replace one or more damaged blades to give it a little facelift!
Now for the maintenance tips!
1) How to wash your sealed parquet floor?
A vacuum cleaner and a mop will allow you to tackle many stains. Be careful not to soak your mop with too much water so as not to drown your parquet floor! On the other hand, a suitable brush will overcome all the roughness of your floor. If there is still some dirt left on the floor, soak a soft cloth with a water-white vinegar mixturethen wring well. Then, scrub, scrub! Take care to dry the floor well so as not to damage it.
2) How to wax your parquet floor and make it shine?
Here again, the vacuum cleaner and a microfiber brush will do everything to properly clean your parquet floor. Then it is necessary to apply wax. White wax or black soapthis is what will allow you to have a beautiful parquet floor! On the other hand, to make it shine, place it on stains or on a wet surface (if you spill a liquid) a little linseed oil. It is a protective maintenance oil that is often considered the parquet oil par excellence for an effortless polish effect! The stain will come out and you can then polish it with a coat of white wax. Then apply the linseed oil again. Now you know everything, you can even use your black soap for other amazing uses!
3) How to maintain your solid wood flooring?
This type of parquet is very fragile. You must therefore be very careful about how to clean it. The best thing is to use a slightly damp microfiber mop. You can also use, in addition, from time to time, a brush with the cooled water in which you cooked the potatoes or black soap.
Little extra tips:
Take great care to never leave your parquet floor wet for very long. Additionally, you can also use black tea to clean your floor boards. And this same black tea will also camouflage small discolorations on the wood. Here it will be enough to make a very steep black tea and apply it to the wood. And for small scratches, scrub the floor with a mixture of equal parts olive oil and white vinegar. Then rub carefully.
And there you have it! You will have a magnificent floor to accommodate all your guests!