parquetry flooring Melbourne tips

Parquetry flooring, while a beautiful and elegant addition to any space, needs regular maintenance to keep it in tip-top shape. However, due to its smaller and thinner wood parts and alternating design, it can be harder to clean than most wood floorings. 

If you recently had a parquet flooring installation done by Croydon Floors or other local flooring services in your area, this article will serve as your go-to cleaning handbook to properly maintain your floor for years to come.

 

Proper maintenance

While parquet flooring lasts for years and needs little to no cleaning, you still need to clean it every day so your floor continues to look its best even after years go by.

To do this, we highly recommend giving your floor a daily sweep with a dry mop or soft-bristled broom to get rid of the dirt, dust, and grime and vacuuming once a week to pick up any dirt left. This ensures that any debris that can scratch the flooring is removed.

 

Water damage

Like every other wood flooring, your parquet floor doesn’t handle water and moisture very well. Moisture can cause your floor to dull, warp, buckle, discolour, and encourage mould growth. However, it does handle moisture slightly better than other flooring types.

When cleaning, you can minimise water damage by cleaning up any spills on your parquet flooring right away while using a slightly damp microfibre mop, as little water as possible, and a Ph-neutral cleaning solution specifically tailored for hardwood floors.

 

Sanding and polishing

While you can take several steps to prevent any considerable damage to your parquet floor, some damage is inevitable as scratches and other damage accumulate over the years.

Just like every other wood flooring, parquetry flooring can be cleaned, resanded, polished, and refinished to reset that buildup.

In particular, polishing and refinishing can bring back your floor’s former glory while protecting it from any more wear and tear. The beauty of parquet flooring is that you can refinish it as many times as your average hardwood floor thanks to its unique design. 

Here are some tips to keep in mind while doing these processes:

Avoid using a power sander and manually sand the floor out by hand to create a consistent and smooth finish for polishing.

  • Make sure to clean any dirt and debris on the flooring before polishing
  • Use a high-quality wax, varnish, or oil-based wood polish and follow the manufacturer’s instructions as closely as possible.
  • After polishing your parquet floor, wait about 24 to 36 hours to completely cure and dry before refinishing

Other things to keep in mind

Pressure from objects such as furniture legs and stiletto heels can also warp and produce small indentations in your parquet flooring. One solution to this is to use felt pads on either your furniture legs or at the bottom of the furniture.

Also, if you have house pets such as dogs and/or cats, consider having their paws cleaned and nails trimmed to avoid unwanted scratches on your flooring.

 

Unlock a better living space with Croydon Floors

As beautiful as this flooring option is, parquetry flooring can only truly shine when you properly maintain it. Regularly cleaning can help keep it in tip-top shape, but polishing and refinishing every five to ten years can help preserve it longer.

In this case, your floor needs expert care to make the finish consistent and preserve its beauty for years to come, like Croydon Floors. Contact us today and get parquetry flooring Melbourne residents have trusted since 1982.