Caring For Your Bamboo Floor

Once you have had your beautiful new bamboo floor installed you can insure that it looks great and sees many years of use and enjoyment by properly caring for it. Bamboo flooring is very tough and wears much better than most other types of hardwood floors. By protecting it from possible damage you will ensure its longevity. It will be a source of enjoyment for your family and guests for years to come. Below are a few tips to set you on the right path to provide the care that your bamboo floor requires for that long life that it deserves.

First and foremost, if you are using rugs on your bamboo floor make sure that they do not have a rubber backing. Rubber backed rugs can easily damage a wooden floor and bamboo is no exception. The rubber coating does not allow the floor to breathe properly and can lead to discoloration of your bamboo floor.

In this same vein, make sure that you place protective pads under any furniture legs that are in contact with your floor. Make sure to use pads that are backed with felt or thick fabric. This will prevent the pressure of the furniture from leading to an indentation in the bamboo flooring over time. Never allow heavy furniture to be dragged across your floor. This could lead to unsightly gouging and scrapes. Deep enough places would be much more expensive to repair than it would be worth so you really want to do what you can to prevent them.

Got The Prevention Down, Now How Do I Clean It?

One thing to do is to prevent any spills when possible. If a spill is allowed to sit for an extended period of time on your bamboo floor it could lead to discoloring. Make sure to get your spill up as quickly as possible when they happen. Usually you can easily remove simple spills by wiping up whatever was spilled and then lightly cleaning the area with a damp rag and a little vinegar water. Some manufacturers may recommend a certain type of cleaner better suited for their particular type of floor. If the manufacturer recommends a certain type of cleaner then you should try to use that brand if possible so that you do not potentially void your floor’s warranty.

This goes for general cleaning as well. Make sure that you use a soft bristle broom to sweep your floor free of dust and dirt often so that it does not have a chance to accumulate and cause damage to your beautiful floor. A dust mop can make a very good tool to use due to the fact that it does not have bristles that may possible leave minute scratches that can lead to damage over time. Prevention can be a very powerful tool in this case. By placing a doormat at each entry, you can ensure that family and friends don’t track dirt onto your beautiful floor that you will have to worry about cleaning up. A friend suggested that I keep an ancient Asian custom alive by having everyone remove their shoes as they enter. She said that it helped to encourage cultural awareness while saving her some cleaning time as well.

No matter how you look at it, your gorgeous new bamboo floor can last you for decades to come if it is cared for properly. By making sure to keep it clean you will extend it’s life drastically. Enjoy!