Do you have hardwood flooring in your Orange County home? Hardwood is popular among homeowners and buyers, not only because it is visually appealing and comes in many options, but also because it is easier to clean and better for avoiding allergies.

However, although hardwood is easier to keep clean than carpeting, there is still a right and wrong way to care for your hardwood floors. As your Orange County real estate agents, allow us to fill you in on the best techniques, straight from the National Wood Flooring Association.

If you are new to hardwood flooring, or you just don’t feel like yours looks as quality as it should, here are some techniques that you might need to adjust:

  • Remove debris – Just because you don’t have carpet to vacuum, that doesn’t mean you don’t have to clean your hardwood floors regularly! They need regular maintenance too. Specks of dirt act like sandpaper on hardwood. They scratch the surface, and over time, hardwood will appear dull. Vacuum and sweep regularly. If you vacuum, be sure to use the hard surface setting!
  • Wipe spills immediately – Just like with carpeting, spills should be cleaned up immediately, and properly, not just with a paper towel. Certain substances can eat away at the top coat of polish, including milk, mustard and pet urine. Purchase cleaning products that are safe for hardwood floors!
  • Mop correctly – The best method for mopping is to use a damp mop with the proper cleaner. If you use a sopping mop, the hardwood could remain damp in bottom layers and begin to mold. The worst offense is a steam mop, which opens pores in the wood and damages the finish.
  • Use the right cleaner – A cleaner with isopropyl alcohol is recommended, as it dries quickly. For a DIY cleaner, mix a capful of white vinegar with a gallon of water. To remove shoe scuffs, rub them with a tennis ball. Don’t just go for any polish, as this will make the floors look clean and shiny only temporarily. Ask a hardwood floor specialist rather than just reading the claims on labels.
  • Refinish – If proper cleaning still doesn’t make your hardwood floors look polished and clean, you might need a refinishing job. Experts recommend doing this every 10 years or so, or even every two to five years if the floors get a lot of traffic from kids or pets. This means sanding down the top layer and then covering with a sealant.

For more tips and information, check out this Realtor.com article about hardwood flooring. Proper care of your hardwood floors is important all the time, but you especially want them to look top notch when trying to sell your OC home! These tips are a good place to start.

Ready to sell? Ready to buy an Orange County home? Either way, contact us, your OC real estate agents! We are here and ready to help with all of your Orange County real estate market goals this fall.