April 27, 2020

News

How to clean natural wood flooring during the coronavirus pandemic

Using vinegar or bleach, the vacuum instead of a broom, and polishing surfaces with oil or wax are some of the tricks we suggest to keep your parquet floors spotless.

The COVID-19 healthcare emergency has changed our personal hygiene and household cleaning habits. Washing our hands frequently with soap and water, disinfecting the kitchen, doors, handles, cupboards, floors and towels has become part of our day-to-day lives. For a thorough and organised cleaning of the home, we at PORCELANOSA Group offer a series of tips for disinfecting natural wood flooring and maintaining its original shine.

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  • Use a vacuum or a strip mop .To clean natural wood floors, we recommend using a vacuum or absorbent mop, since the less water that accumulates in the slats, the better it will last over time.
  • Vinegar and oil to polish. Now that all rooms and utensils in the property have to be thoroughly cleaned to cope with COVID-19, natural wood floors can be a source of contamination if they are not properly cleaned, and one of the best products for disinfecting and protecting parquet floors is vinegar. The best way to achieve this is to add half a glass of white vinegar to the bucket of water you are going to use, and wring out the mop well. This will prevent the parquet from becoming too wet and protect the natural shine of the wood.If, on the other hand, your parquet is oiled, you should ideally clean the floor with a low-pH cleaning solution and lukewarm water, and use a well-wrung mop. It is best for this type of flooring to dry naturally, so we recommend airing out the rooms and wiping the surface down with a dry cloth.Other natural liquids that also work are olive oil or green tea oil which, when applied with a clean cloth, will bring back the wood’s original luminosity and make it softer.
  • Paper or talc to remove stains. Oil, grease or ink stains on the parquet floor can be quite awkward, but not impossible to remove. To do so, you can choose to use absorbent paper or to cover the affected area with a little bit of talc. If you use talc, you must leave it to stand for at least 24 hours and then use the vacuum. Afterwards, you will have to clean the natural wood floor with a cloth moistened with a few drops of cleaning fluid and then dry this area with a clean cloth.
  • Wax the floors with oil or solid wax. Natural wood floors must be waxed at least once a month. The most recommended products to do this are paste wax, which will allow you to repair the most damaged areas, or oil, which, when used with a cotton cloth, will polish up the floor to return it to its original state. If you use a liquid wax, you must first clean the surface and remove any specks of dust. Afterwards, using a damp cotton cloth, wipe down the surface you are going to wax and dry it with a cloth. Another solution is to use a silicone polish. To use this correctly, clean the floor, apply a light even layer of this product and leave it to dry. Remove the product with a dry cloth or polisher.
  • Adhesives and mats to protect parquet floors. In addition to these cleaning tips, you should also consider various other ideas for protecting your parquet. To avoid knocks or scratches on the floor, it is advisable to put adhesives on the bottom of each chair leg and table leg. This will prevent the parquet from being scratched when moving this furniture. Another solution is to place a rug or mat at the entrance to the house. This will keep the dirt from outside or that is embedded in our shoes away from the natural wood floors, keeping them clean and disinfected.

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