We spent over two years developing, testing, and perfecting our own suite of floor care products, Real Clean Floors. Designed to work on all kinds of flooring finishes and hard surfaces, we recommend it for use on every floor we produce. Learn more about the Real Clean Floors products and how to purchase at www.mycleanfloors.com.
The following maintenance practices are recommended for all our products finished with UV-cured oils and urethane. The Vintage Loft Collection floors manufactured before June 2015, may have hard-wax oil finish and need to be maintained differently. For hardwax oil maintenance guidelines please contact Real Wood Floors.
Color Loss and Shading:
As a natural product, all hardwood floors are likely to fade or change shades over time. Like our own skin, hardwood’s exposure to sunlight may increase this process and cause a permanent color change. Window treatments are recommended to shade your floors from the sun’s harsh UV rays. We also recommend rotating area rugs and furniture regularly, allowing hardwood floors to age evenly from UV exposure.
Do not:
- Use oils, waxes, or furniture soaps or sprays.
- Use straight ammonia, alkaline products, or abrasive cleaners.
- Use water alone or vinegar and water to clean hardwood floors.
- Use professional cleaning products to remove occasional scuffs, heel marks, stains, and spills without dulling the finish of your floor.
Preventative Maintenance:
Install protective felt or soft pads on the bottom of all furniture. Place rugs and mats at all exterior entrances to capture abrasives and moisture. Shake rugs out regularly. Sweep, vacuum, and or dry dust-mop regularly to remove abrasives and dirt. Be aware; the use of high-heeled shoes can dent even the most dense hardwood floors. Wipe up spills immediately.
Cleaning:
Beginning in the corner of a room, spray a manageable area with floor cleaner, and also the microfiber pad on your mop head. Mop the floor in the same direction as the wood grain, along the planks, not across them. Keep an eye out for spots needing extra care to remove. These may require additional cleaner and applying extra pressure with the mop head to clean. Once the area is cleaned, continue the process moving towards the exit. Refrain from walking across still-wet areas.
It is important to use cleaners specifically designed for wood floors only―cleaners designed for other surfaces, or containing harsh chemicals, or wax, will dull the finish, damage the finish, or make it slippery.
If you are unsure which cleaning products are appropriate to care for your floor, contact us and we’ll be happy to assist you.
A PDF version of these guidelines can be found on our Downloads page.