Woodwork Needs Work Too

Molding or trim, present throughout your home, not only adds visual charm but also fulfills a practical role. It conceals the joints of walls, floors, and ceilings while protecting the walls from scratches and damage. While the emphasis is often on floor cleaning, the woodwork also needs maintenance. Regular dusting, cleaning, and repairs are essential to maintain its appearance. It is recommended to clean door trims, which often accumulate dirt from fingerprints, monthly with a moistened cloth and a general-purpose cleaner. Use warm water to dampen the cloth.

Twice a year, wipe molding throughout the house, including crown moldings and window moldings, with a cloth dampened with warm water and an all-purpose cleaner or mild dish washing liquid.

 

 

Cleaning wood floors

For a natural wood floor cleaner, use a common kitchen staple: vinegar. Clean wood floors with vinegar by adding 1/2 cup of vinegar to a gallon of water. Follow the tips for how to clean hardwood floors with a mop above to prevent water damage.

Wood Floor Maintenance

Floors take on a lot—from daily traffic to inevitable spills and mishaps. The best way to clean hardwood floors starts with smart preventive measures. This will not only help protect floors, but also cut down on the time you’ll spend cleaning. Place floor mats both outside and inside exterior doors to lessen tracked-in dirt. In snowy or rainy weather, set up a boot removal area to avoid damaging floors with tracked in water and de-icing agents. Along with a spot to sit down and a place to store shoes, keep a rag or cleaning cloth tucked away next to the door to quickly clean up errant puddles.

Even when the forecast doesn’t call for precipitation, it’s smart to remove shoes when coming indoors so dirt, grime, and germs don’t get tracked in all over the house. And when hardwood floors are underfoot, scratch-causing heels and cleats should definitely be checked at the door. Prevent marks on hardwood floors by using floor protectors under furniture and by using rugs in play areas to ensure children’s toys don’t scratch the floor.