The Flooring Guild
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.flooring-guild.co.uk
36 Meadowsweet
Eaton Ford
St Neots
Cambridgeshire
PE19 7GR
Tel: 01480 471476
Consumer Information Service
A
Consumer’s Guide
to
Maintenance of Laminate
and Wood Flooring
The Flooring Guild is dedicated to raising standards in the flooring industry through the delivery
of high quality training and education. We believe Consumers should be given unbiased
information to help make an informed choice and have produced a series of guides to help in
that process.
The contents of each Guide are believed correct at the time of printing. Nevertheless, The
Flooring Guild cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions or for changes in the
details given in this Guide or for the consequences of any reliance on the information provided
in the same.
Although every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, we will always welcome any
information to assist in such efforts and to keep the Guides up to date.
We gratefully acknowledge the information given by various contributors including:
Gründorf (UK) Ltd
Kährs UK Ltd
Margaritelli Group
Mays Carpets Ltd
All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any other
information storage and retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from The Flooring Guild.
The Flooring Guild is a company limited by guarantee – Registered in England No. 3803478 at the above address
The Flooring Guild
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.flooring-guild.co.uk
36 Meadowsweet
Eaton Ford
St Neots
Cambridgeshire
PE19 7GR
Tel: 01480 471476
Consumer Information Service
Contents
Page
MAINTENANCE OF LAMINATE AND WOOD FLOORING
1
General Care and Maintenance Guidelines
1
WOOD FLOORING WITH UV-LACQUER
3
Care and Repair Guidelines
Preventive Measures
Thorough Cleaning
Normal Cleaning
Stain and Mark Removal
Repairs
Renovation
3
3
3
4
4
4
4
WOOD FLOORING WITH UV-OIL
5
Care and Repair Guidelines
Cleaning
Stain and Mark Removal
Repairs
5
5
5
6
WOOD FLOORING WITH NATURAL OIL
Care and Repair Guidelines
Initial Treatment
Normal Cleaning and Care
Thorough Cleaning
Removing Stains
Easy Local Repairs
Renovation
WOOD FLOORING – OIL-WAX
Care and Repair Guidelines
Cleaning
Removing Marks
Repairs
Renovation
LAMINATE FLOORING
Care and Repair Guidelines
Reproduced by kind permission of Kährs UK Ltd
The Flooring Guild is a company limited by guarantee – Registered in England No. 3803478 at the above address
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Consumer Information Service
Wood Flooring Maintenance
MAINTENANCE OF LAMINATE AND WOOD FLOORING
General Care and Maintenance Guidelines
The floor is installed. Now its everyday life, with all its challenges, begins. Stiletto
heels and dirty or wet shoes put the floor to the test, time and time again.
When it comes to maintenance, prevention is better than cure.
The need for maintenance depends on a number of factors and varies from case to
case. More regular maintenance is required on floors where there is greater wear,
such as where people walk with outdoor shoes.
It becomes evident when a floor needs maintenance since it starts to feel more difficult
to clean than before.
The following are a few general tips and rules to protect and give the floor a longer life.

Floors of wood/wood materials need a healthy room climate, ie a temperature of
approximately 200C and a relative air humidity of 50-65%.
If the humidity is too low, gaps or cracks can occur while the floor can swell or
arch if the humidity is too high.

Always use the manufacturer’s recommended cleaning products. They are
specially matched to the floor.
Never use soft soap, hard soap or a scouring agent (they attack the surface) or
furniture polishes or other film-forming cleaning agents.

Make sure there is a correctly-designed entrance and an effective wiping-off
system. If possible, provide a scraping-off grating first, then a coarse mat
outside followed by a textile mat inside any external door that removes moisture
and fine grit.
The best entrance design makes it possible to walk at least three steps on each
mat - the more the better. This method, not only saves the floor, but also makes
day-to-day cleaning easier.
The cost that is incurred in designing a good entrance pays for itself many times
over as a consequence of lower maintenance costs.

Loose dirt and sand should be removed immediately with a vacuum cleaner,
mop, soft broom or dust cloth.

Normal dirt can be wiped off with a damp cloth. Always wipe lengthways along
the floor planks with a well wrung-out cloth.
© The Flooring Guild 2012
Page 1
Consumer Information Service
Wood Flooring Maintenance

Attach felt gliders (not metal pads as these can cause marks on wood flooring) to
chairs and all furniture to avoid unnecessary marks and scratches to the floor.

Use soft castors especially with engineered wood floors. Hard castors affect the
surface like emery paper. The point loading and the circulation of the castors
destroys the melamine resin layer of the laminate.

When conducting maintenance, it is best to move the furniture to one half of the
room, treat the cleared area, and wait 1-2 hours. All the furniture is then moved
to the other half and the treatment is repeated on the rest of the floor.

Subsequent maintenance can be done on the parts of the floor surface where it
is really needed, such as areas where people walk.
Maintenance work does not necessarily mean, therefore, that all the furniture
must be moved out of the room. The surface dirt’s resistance, along with its
resistance to moisture and durability, increases each time maintenance is done.
Thus the need for maintenance decreases over time.

Clean the floor thoroughly. If there is dirt on the floor when maintenance is done,
it may be difficult to remove later.
Always follow the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance procedure.
© The Flooring Guild 2012
Page 2
Consumer Information Service
Wood Flooring Maintenance
WOOD FLOORING WITH UV-LACQUER
Care and Repair Guidelines
Polymers are created when curing using UV light and these produce a hard and
chemical-resistant surface. The lacquer does not contain solvents or formaldehyde.
During UV curing, there are only traces of bensaldehyde (bitter almond oil) and this
evaporates very quickly. Bitter almond oil occurs naturally in cherries and almonds for
example.
The lacquer is durable, easy to care for, hygienic and retains the real wood’s natural
character. Since the lacquer maintains such a high quality, it is possible to keep the
quantity of lacquer at a low level so that the appearance of the wood comes into its
own.
As a consequence, wood with a strong character, such as Oak and Ash, retains its
characteristics so that, in optical terms, scratches show less than on wood with a softer
structure.
Preventive Measures
Please refer to the maintenance guidelines above.
In rooms where water is often spilt and where there is also a risk that it is allowed to
remain, additional lacquering of the floor is recommended.
In this way, the joints between the planks are covered to provide better protection
against liquids.
Thorough Cleaning
When?
The floor should only be subjected to thorough cleaning if it has stubborn,
adherent dirt that cannot be removed by normal cleaning.
On floors subject to light traffic (eg living rooms and bedrooms), this is
usually likely about every 12 months.
On floors subject to medium traffic (eg hallways, stairs and offices) about
every 6-12 months and on floors subject to especially heavy traffic (eg
restaurants, shops and schools) about every 3-6 months.
Also, after laying the floor and when it becomes unsightly because of the
frequent application of care products.
How?
Lower the temperature of any underfloor heating system before every
thorough cleaning. Always wipe lengthways along the planks.
Do not allow any water to remain. Always use the manufacturer’s
recommended products for care and maintenance.
© The Flooring Guild 2012
Page 3
Consumer Information Service
Wood Flooring Maintenance
Normal Cleaning
When?
Normal cleaning removes adherent dirt. On floors subject to light traffic,
this is usually necessary about every 2 weeks; on floors subject to medium
traffic about once a week or more often on floors subject to heavy traffic.
How?
Damp wiping with the manufacturer’s recommended care products.
When?
After every thorough cleaning.
How?
Parquet and wood veneer floors should be treated one to two times with
the manufacturer’s recommended polish after every thorough cleaning.
After 2-3 applications, the floor should be cleaned with polish remover and
then treated with polish again.
Stain and Mark Removal
A mark on the floor can often be removed using the manufacturer’s recommended
cleaning agent. If this does not work, the following are a few hints on how to remove
difficult marks. Always test first in an inconspicuous area to check how the wood will
react.
Marks from
Asphalt, rubber, oil, shoe polish, soot or
dried-in residues of chocolate or fat
Wax crayons, lipstick. felt tip pens
Candle wax, chewing gum
Blood
Removed using
White spirit, benzene or similar
White spirit
Coolant spray or place a plastic bag
containing ice cubes on the mark. Then
carefully scrape off.
Cold water
Care should be taken when using strong stain removal materials, since using too much
and applying too much pressure could affect the surface.
Repairs

Small scratches and scrape marks can be dealt with using touch-up lacquer.

Small impact marks can be filled with wood filler of a suitable colour and
lacquered using touch-up lacquer.

If there are deep scratches, cracks and damage, the strips or planks that are
damaged can be replaced.
Renovation
Engineered Wood Floors: Complete and partial renovation is possible after many
years of use by simply sanding the wear layer and then resealing the floor. Due to the
ready-for-use factory sealing of the surface, sanding and refinishing of these floors is
not necessary in small rooms in the home but is recommended in, for example,
kitchens and entrance areas.
Wood Veneer floors: Partial renovation is possible by sanding the lacquer coat.
© The Flooring Guild 2012
Page 4
Consumer Information Service
Wood Flooring Maintenance
WOOD FLOORING WITH UV-OIL
This floor is ready oiled for use in a domestic environment. It is treated with UV-cured
oil which, for the most part, comprises renewable raw materials.
UV-oiled flooring does not need maintenance, other than regular cleaning and
polishing, for several years under normal domestic conditions.
Floors in areas where there is a risk of water being spilt, such as in a kitchen or hall,
should be maintained according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Care and Repair Guidelines
For preventive measures, please refer to the maintenance guidelines above.
Cleaning
Daily cleaning should be done using dry methods such as vacuum cleaning.
Where necessary, the floor can be wiped with the manufacturer’s recommended
cleaner or a well-wrung out floor cloth. The floor must not receive excessive moisture.
Unnecessary cleaning using damp methods causes more damage than good.
This applies particularly during the first weeks after maintenance. The frequency of
damp cleaning depends on the use and how dirty the floor gets.
Regular cleaning of the floor prevents dirt sticking to the oiled surface.
Stain and Mark Removal
Remove marks as soon as possible using the manufacturer’s recommended cleaning
agent.
If this does not help, the mark can be removed using a green nylon pad such as
Scotch-Brite.
After removing the mark, apply a small amount of new oil.
Always test first in an inconspicuous area to check how the wood will react.
Marks from
Asphalt, rubber, oil, shoe polish, soot or
dried-in residues of chocolate or fat
Wax crayons, lipstick. felt tip pens
Candle wax, chewing gum
Blood
© The Flooring Guild 2012
Removed using
White spirit, benzene or similar
White spirit
Coolant spray or place a plastic bag
containing ice cubes on the mark. Then
carefully scrape off.
Cold water
Page 5
Consumer Information Service
Wood Flooring Maintenance
Repairs

Small scratches and scrape marks can be dealt with using touch-up oil.

Small impact marks can be filled with wood filler of a suitable colour and oiled
using touch-up oil.

If there are deep scratches, cracks and damage, the strips or planks that are
damaged can be replaced.
Partial renovation of wood flooring: A small area that is worn or damaged can be
scraped or sanded down to clean wood. However, always check the manufacturer’s
recommendations before starting any repair work.
Total renovation of wood flooring: If normal renovation of surface treatment is
insufficient, the wood flooring can be machine sanded down to clean wood and then
refinished again.
Always check the manufacturer’s recommendations before starting any renovation
work.
WOOD FLOORING WITH NATURAL OIL
Natural oil contains no solvents (100% solid particles). It is made up exclusively from
vegetable raw materials.
Natural oil should not be confused with UV-cured oil. The special care instructions are
quite different.
In order to attain lasting beauty from a natural-oiled floor, proper initial treatment at the
beginning of its life is important.
With time, the floor will then become less demanding and especial tough because
regular care fills the wood pores and forms a protective film on the surface of the wood
making it less sensitive to dirt.
Follow the wood floor manufacturer’s instructions.
Natural oil is very suitable for use in both domestic and public areas, such as dance
floors and restaurants, that are subject to considerable wear. With proper and regular
maintenance, there is no floor that is better at withstanding heavy-duty wear.
It is easy to look after a floor in a domestic environment and polishing is not necessary.
Care must not be neglected otherwise “walkways” or a greyish coating can be formed.
The floor can be renovated a number of times. It is also possible to renovate only
parts of it.
Care and Repair Guidelines
For preventive measures, please refer to the maintenance guidelines above.
© The Flooring Guild 2012
Page 6
Consumer Information Service
Wood Flooring Maintenance
Initial Treatment
This should be done immediately after installation.





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Clean the floor of dust with a broom or vacuum cleaner.
Then wipe the floor with the manufacturer’s recommended wood floor soap and a
damp floor cloth (without microfibres) or special mop.
Always use 2 buckets - one for the clean soap solution and the other with clear
water for rinsing of the floor cloth or mop.
Mixing ratio - 1/8 litre soap in 5 litres of water.
Wipe the floor more often in the first few weeks (2 to 3 times a week), in the
evenings if possible, because the wood floor soap not only cleans the floor but
also forms a protective film that, with time, makes the floor increasingly
insensitive to dirt.
Floors subject to especially heavy traffic should also be treated with the
manufacturer’s recommended care oil before use.
Normal Cleaning and Care

Vacuum cleaning or sweeping and regular wiping with a damp, well wrung-out
cloth will suffice for normal cleaning.

Add the manufacturer’s recommended wood floor soap to the cleaning water.

Mixing ratio - 1/8 litre soap in 5 litres of warm water.

Always use 2 buckets - one for the clean soap solution and the other with clear
water for rinsing of the cloth or mop.

Pressure marks will, depending on their depth, large disappear as a result of
care.

Additionally, the floor should be treated with the manufacturer’s recommended
care oil 1 to 3 times a year to freshen and fill the surface of the wood.
IMPORTANT: Do not go over the floor with clear water after treating it with wood floor
soap because the protective coconut and soya fats in the soap will be removed.
Thorough Cleaning

If the floor is very dirty, clean thoroughly with the manufacturer’s recommended
intensive cleaner.

Mixing ratio - about 1/8 litre intensive cleaner in 5 litres of warm water.

Wipe with the manufacturer’s recommended wood floor soap immediately after
thorough cleaning so that a new protective film forms. When required, use a
coating of maintenance oil prior to the soaping regime.
Removing Stains

Stubborn stains can be removed from the floor either with the manufacturer’s
recommended intensive cleaner or stain remover or by lightly sanding the floor
with sandpaper (grain 180). The floor must be treated with the manufacturer’s
recommended care oil afterwards.

Then wipe with the manufacturer’s recommended wood floor soap so that a new
protective film forms at this point.
© The Flooring Guild 2012
Page 7
Consumer Information Service
Wood Flooring Maintenance
Easy Local Repairs
Small scratches, burns or other stubborn marks and minor damage can be removed
with local repairs.



Roughen the floor with sandpaper (grain 180) or a green abrasive pad.
Then treat the area with oil and allow it to dry. Do not forget to go over the floor
again with wood floor soap afterwards.
The area repaired is virtually invisible immediately after treatment. The nuances
of colour that form in local repairs merge with the rest of the floor over time.
Renovation
If the floor begins to lose its shine or look drab after long use, it can be livened up by
applying a thin layer of the manufacturer’s recommended care oil.





Before treating the floor with oil, wipe it thoroughly with the manufacturer’s
recommended intensive cleaner and allow it to dry for four to eight hours.
Then apply a thin layer of the manufacturer’s recommended care oil either by
machine or with a roller paintbrush or cotton cloth.
The right amount of oil is reached when the surface has a matt satin lustre. The
oil may not form a film on the surface. Remove any excess oil with a squeegee.
Then polish the floor with a soft cotton cloth or polishing pad.
The floor can be used again after 4-5 hours (at minimum 180-200C). The floor
should be treated further with the manufacturer’s recommended wood floor soap
at the earliest after 24 hours so that a new protective film forms.
SAFETY TIP: To prevent spontaneous ignition of the oil-soaked cloths and pads, rinse
them with clear water after use and dry in the open air!
WOOD FLOORING – OIL-WAX
The need for maintenance depends on a number of factors and varies from case to
case.
Maintenance needs to be carried out more often if the floor is cleaned with a damp
cloth regularly, since this has an abrasive effect on the protective coating.
More regular maintenance is required on floors where there is greater wear such as
where people walk with outdoor shoes. Light, soft and porous types of wood also
require more regular maintenance. It becomes evident when a floor needs
maintenance, since it starts to feel more difficult to clean than before. In most cases,
this means that the floor needs maintenance twice during the first year and then
annually.
It is recommended that the first maintenance be done directly after the floor is
installed. The first maintenance exercise should cover the entire floor area and, if this
is done directly after the floor installation, there will be no need to move any furniture.
Extra protection will be achieved against moisture that can get into the joints between
planks.
© The Flooring Guild 2012
Page 8
Consumer Information Service
Wood Flooring Maintenance
Care and Repair Guidelines
For preventive measures, please refer to the maintenance guidelines above.
In rooms where water is often spilt and where there is also a risk that it is allowed to
remain, it is recommended that care wax is applied to the floor after installation.
In this way, the joints between the planks are covered to provide better protection
against liquids.
Cleaning
Daily cleaning should be done using dry methods such as vacuum cleaning. Where
necessary, the floor can be wiped with a mop or a well-wrung out floor cloth.
Always use the manufacturer’s recommended cleaning agent. The floor should only
receive minimum moisture.
How often the floor needs to be cleaned depends on its use and how dirty it gets.
Regular cleaning of the floor prevents dirt sticking to the oiled surface.
On the other hand, when cleaning, the surface wax coating wax coating is worn away
which means that new wax needs to be applied every now and then.
Removing Marks
Remove marks as soon as possible using water and a neutral cleaning agent. If this
does not help, the mark can be removed using a green nylon pad such as ScotchBrite.
After removing the mark, the cleaned surface required a small amount of fresh oil to be
applied.
Always test first in an inconspicuous area to check how the wood will react.
Marks from
Asphalt, rubber, oil, shoe polish, soot or
dried-in residues of chocolate or fat
Wax crayons, lipstick. felt tip pens
Candle wax, chewing gum
Blood
© The Flooring Guild 2012
Removed using
White spirit, benzene or similar
White spirit
Coolant spray or place a plastic bag
containing ice cubes on the mark. Then
carefully scrape off.
Cold water
Page 9
Consumer Information Service
Wood Flooring Maintenance
Repairs
It is important that the manufacturer’s instructions are followed before any repairs are
undertaken.
Worn or damaged surfaces can be sanded or scraped down to clean wood.
Finish with 220 grit sandpaper and then apply a thick layer of touch-up oil.
After 30 minutes wipe off the oil that has not be absorbed by the wood.
Allow the renovated surface to dry overnight.
A coating of protective care wax should then be applied. Care wax treatment can be
repeated as required.
The differences between the part of the floor that has been treated and the rest of the
floor disappear with time.
Damaged planks or strips can be replaced.
If indentations are to be removed, as well as renewing the oil treatment, it may be
better to sand the entire floor. Then treat the floor again with oil and wax.
Please follow the wood floor manufacturer’s recommendations.
Renovation
Renovating the surface of wood flooring: After a long period of use, it may be
necessary to renovate the surface treatment and apply a new oil treatment.
Spread of thick layer of satin oil on the floor.
Then polish the floor using a polishing machine (150r/min) so that the oil dissolves any
dirt in the floor. Use a nylon pad, such as a green or coarse Scotch-Brite.
Remove any excess oil and dissolved dirt with the help of a rubber scraper.
Remove any residual oil by attaching a cloth under the polishing machine roundel and
polishing the floor as dry as possible.
Work over small areas at a time so that the dissolved dirt does not have a chance to
dry. The floor can be used again once the oil has dried.
Total renovation of wood flooring: If normal renovation of surface treatment is
insufficient, the wood flooring can be machine sanded down to clean wood and then
oiled and waxed again.
© The Flooring Guild 2012
Page 10
Consumer Information Service
Wood Flooring Maintenance
LAMINATE FLOORING
Laminate flooring is extremely impact and scratch resistant but can be scratched by
dirt or by dragging heavy objects across the floor.
However, some laminates come with no guarantees and generally should be avoided
for obvious reasons.
Laminates from quality manufacturers generally come with a manufacturer warranty
against fading, stains and wear of between 10 and 25 years.
They are designed to look good for many years with a minimum of effort.
Please refer to the manufacturer for warranty periods on specific products.
Care and Repair Guidelines
Laminate flooring is easy to keep clean especially if the following points are followed:






use a broom or vacuum cleaner remove loose dirt or grit
marks or stains can be removed using a damp cloth
use the manufacturer’s recommended cleaner - do not use polish or wax
never clean with abrasives, scouring powder or steel wool
wipe up spills immediately
avoid allowing any liquids to remain on the floor (including flower pots and pet’s
water bowls)
If scratches do appear, it may be possible to buy a touch-up stick from the
manufacturer.
Due to the thin wear layer, these floors cannot be sanded or refinished.
They are not suitable for wet, damp or moisture laden environments since the common
HDF laminate, if punctured, can absorb moisture into the HDF causing swelling and
distortion of the flooring.
Some laminates are manufactured with a synthetic moisture resistant core material
and various manufacturers do recommend their use in bathrooms, kitchens, etc.
Nevertheless, it is important to check the manufacturer’s recommended usage for
each particular product.
Remember:
Moisture resistant is not moisture proof!
© The Flooring Guild 2012
Page 11