Parquet Wood Floor Care

Daily Cleaning

• Wood floors are stunning when they are clean but can be dull and lifeless when they are not. You should do some basic cleaning of your parquet floor daily to keep it shiny and attractive. Sweeping is perhaps the most basic type of daily care needed for a parquet floor. Using a dust mop or soft bristled broom is the best way to clear dirt and gritty material from the floor to avoid scratching. This debris trapped between shoes and the parquet surface will scratch the wood like sandpaper, so keeping it clear is important.

Rugs

• Parquet wood floors benefit greatly from the use of rugs. While you don't want to cover up the floor entirely, using rugs at doorways is a good idea, especially those that enter from outside. You and your guests can wipe your feet on the rugs to reduce the amount of dirt and grit that ends up on the floor. Area rugs throughout the house will also help protect the wood in higher traffic areas.

Water Dispenser

• Since wood does not respond well to water, use a damp mop to go over the floor daily as opposed to using a mop and bucket technique occasionally. The moisture can seep between the boards on parquet and potentially cause discoloration, swelling or other types of damage. If liquid is spilled on the parquet floor, wipe it up immediately using a dry towel. Soaking up all the moisture as soon as possible will likely prevent any damage, especially if the floor is sealed with a protective coat such as polyurethane or varnish.

Preventing Dents and Damage

• Parquet flooring is easy to dent and damage. Prevention of all dents and dings in your floor may be impossible over time, but there are some prevention methods that may help you minimize damage. Do not walk around in high heels on your parquet if possible. Adopt a "shoes off" policy at your front door. Use felt pads on the bottom of furniture legs, and refrain from scooting heavy items across the floor. Parquet scratches easily and will require polishing and buffing to remove these marks.