MAINTENANCE
Care & Maintenance of Timber Flooring
Timber flooring and decking are long-term investments.
With minimal care and maintenance, their optimal performance and
longevity can be ensured.
We recommend discussing flooring and decking care with the installer or
builder, where possible, to obtain the manufacturer’s recommended
maintenance procedures for the chosen floor finish. However, the following
care and maintenance tips will help keep timber flooring and decking looking
their best.
General Precautions and Maintenance Tips
• Wait 10 ~ 14 days after applying the final coat of varnish before placing
furniture. (This does not apply to pre-finished floors.)
• Fit protective pads to furniture legs to reduce the risk of marking the floor.
Use protective mats under furniture with castors to protect the floor surface.
Barrel castors are less likely to damage the floor than ball castors.
Wait 7 days after applying the final coat before moving furniture onto the
floor. (Not applicable to pre-finished floors.)
• Do not place rugs on the floor for at least 2 weeks after applying the final coat to ensure the finish is fully cured. When placing rugs, ensure the floor is clean so that dirt is not trapped underneath.
• Dirt and grit can cause excessive wear and scratching on hardwood timber floors. Use dirt-trapping mats at all exterior doors to minimise the amount of dirt, sand, and grit brought indoors. Small rugs and hall runners can also help collect dirt that might scratch the floor. Regularly sweep high-traffic areas with a soft-bristle broom or an electrostatic mop.
• All hardwood timber floors will naturally fade, darken, or change shades over time, and exposure to sunlight can accelerate this process. Rotate rugs periodically and protect the floor from direct sunlight using curtains or blinds.
• In areas with extreme temperature fluctuations or moisture variations, gaps or cupping may develop in the floor. Maintain a stable ambient temperature to prevent dryness, which can cause gaps, and control moisture levels to avoid cupping.
• High-heeled shoes can dent a hardwood floor. Special care should be taken to remove shoes with exposed sharp heels to prevent potential damage.
• Pets with long nails or claws can scratch and dull the floor finish. Ensure that pets’ nails or claws are trimmed regularly and kept blunt.
• One of the benefits of hardwood timber floors is that they can be refinished if they become excessively scratched or dented. It is recommended to engage a flooring professional experienced in sanding and finishing to carry out this work.
Cleaning Tips
A hardwood timber floor will maintain its appearance longer if it is kept as clean as possible. To remove surface dirt and grit, regularly vacuum using a soft-bristle head or an electrostatic attachment, or sweep with an electrostatic mop. Ensure that door mats are kept clean.
For stubborn dirt, damp-mop the floor using a well-wrung mop. A pH-neutral floor cleaner can help remove stubborn dirt when used according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Never clean the floor with common household detergents, polishes, steel wool pads, wax, or similar products, as these can be too abrasive, scratch the surface, or make the floor dangerously slippery.
Some products may leave a silicone or wax film on the timber, which can hinder future recoating of the floor. Never use methylated spirits, kerosene, or any petroleum-based products, as these can degrade the coating and permanently dull the floor. Only use a pH-neutral floor cleaner according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
“Use only high-quality, lint-free floor mops, and thoroughly wash new mops to remove any lint. Wipe up spills and leaks promptly with a dry cloth or paper towel. For sticky substances, slightly moisten the cloth. Avoid over-wetting the floor when mopping or cleaning, as excess moisture can alter the floor’s moisture balance and cause expansion or cupping. Ensure that mops and cloths are well wrung so that as little water as possible comes into contact with the floor.
Steam mops are not recommended for cleaning timber floors. Steam forces moisture into the joints and any small incisions, breaks, or cracks on the floor surface, which can cause issue,s such as cupping. Additionally, the heat from the steam mop may damage the floor’s coating.