How to Take Care of your Strand Woven Bamboo Flooring
Sponsors:Installing a new floor in your home is a significant investment, and proper bamboo floor care is important to ensure it lasts a long time and continues to look great. Below are a few essential things to remember about bamboo flooring maintenance and cleaning.
Proper cleaning your bamboo floor is very important and should be done as often as possible, at least once a week. This prevents stuff from sticking to the floor, and eventually leading to scratches and dents.
How to clean bamboo floors:
**Cleaning Bamboo floors is the same for stand woven bamboo flooring and regular bamboo flooring. The only difference is you need to be more careful with regular bamboo flooring, because it is softer and less durable**
For a basic cleaning, use a soft bristled broom, and preferable one that is only used for your bamboo flooring (and not in the kitchen, garage, etc). A vacuum can also be used, but use it with care, or you could end up scratching or denting the hardwood. Your floor should also be mopped from time to time, once every two weeks is usually enough, depending on the amount of traffic it receives. Microfiber floor mops are the best for removing dirt, and can easily be cleaned after each use. The best cleaning solutions are ones that are specific to bamboo floors, such as Ambient´s bamboo floor cleaner. They are often environmentally friendly, and are designed specifically for bamboo floors. If you are unable to find a floor cleaner that is made specifically for bamboo, other hardwood floor cleaners can be used. Refrain from using any ammonia based cleaners, or any cleaners that contain strong chemicals. Note that these cleaners are used by spraying small amounts on the floor, then mopping up the moisture. You should put large puddles of water on your floor. If you spill something on the floor, it is important to clean it up immediately. This will prevent any moisture from permanently damaging the wood, and from possible staining of the flooring. Bamboo floors should never be waxed, which will result in damage to the floor if done so.
Some things to remember about general bamboo flooring maintenance and care:
Now that you have a bamboo floor, you should consider monitoring the humidity levels in your house. These levels should never be below 30% or above 60% for extended periods of time. It could cause the bamboo to swell, shrink, or eventually crack. It may be necessary to install a humidifier/dehumidifier, to prevent this from happening.
To help prevent damage to your flooring, place mats and rugs in the areas that are used the most. Check the bottom of the mats and rugs you are using to make sure they do not have rubber bottoms, and to make sure there aren’t any pieces that could scratch the floor. Also, you may want to consider rugs that are colorfast, meaning their color will not leak out if they get wet. If they are small mats, it is wise to wash them first to help remove any dies that may end up leaking onto the floor. Make sure to keep all mats and rugs clean as much as possible. This helps prevent any dirt buildup from ending up on your nice, beautiful flooring, which can lead to damage.
A few final tips:
- If you have a pet, be careful of your pet’s claws. Make sure they are trimmed regularly, as they can scratch the finish of the bamboo flooring.
- All furniture should use protective pads to prevent any possible scratching.
- People should refrain from walking around in spiky high heels, which can also damage the flooring.
Like any piece of furniture, you have to take care of your bamboo flooring to keep it looking great. By following these simple guidelines, you should have no problem keeping it looking as beautiful as the day that it was installed.
Posted by admin / Cleaning and Maintaining
estualist on 02 Mar 2009 at 7:46 am #
Thank you!
Janis Shultz on 25 Feb 2010 at 1:47 pm #
What does the rubber backed throw rugs do to bamboo floors?
richa on 21 Mar 2010 at 11:57 pm #
Hi, thanks for your tips. It will be very helpful for me as i have recently purchased Bamboo rug from ImportFlooring.com
Home renovation Contractor in vancouver on 18 Sep 2010 at 4:20 am #
More and more homeowners have found the necessity of remodeling basements today. This is mainly for space and expansion purposes. Consequently, the trend in promoting a unique and practical basement remodeling idea is becoming a business. In fact the first of the many things to consider in doing a remodeling project starts with a good idea. If you have a plan of finishing up your basement, this is the article for you.
Like any other renovations, there are points to consider doing a basement project too. You should have a checklist of items you need in completing your basement project. Remember that it all starts with the perfect basement concept.
-Make a plan. Your basement remodeling idea should follow the existing house plan. The shape of the walling should be the same. Except that each floor is being design according to function. Usually, basements are left out in design plans. Also bear in mind that plumbing and ducting are found here. So include this in you to-do list when designing your plan. This is where you start exploring on new concepts to build.
- Make a list of the tools, equipments and materials that you will need for the project. Of course this is important. Since a basement renovation involves construction, it involves the purchase of wood frames, wall covering, floor tiles, and decorations. Also remember that you would not be buying them without understanding what to use of them and how. So you also need tools and equipment. This should be easy for you.
- It is important to waterproof the basement before you begin with remodeling. Consider the preparatory steps. No matter how beneficial your basement remodeling idea is, its usability can only be optimized if preparations are met with high importance. This includes waterproofing your walls and floors. Your basement is prone to moisture and pressure from its surrounding subsoil. Check out what’s the best waterproofing product to use. This must be in your checklist as well.
- Consider both the aesthetics and the functionality. Basement windows and doors are not just ordinary doors. There are many things to consider in what types to use as well as its properties. Ceilings should be included too. A basement window for example is not like any window elsewhere in your house. Coming up with a well planned basement remodeling idea requires the correct installations and types of things that constitutes aesthetic value and function.
- Identify the purpose of your remodeling. Compartmentalize your basement if you need to. There’s lots of space there and you can optimize it by knowing what to use of each room in your basement. While drafting the plan for your basement remodeling idea, you should already know what rooms to put there. Examples of these are guest rooms, a mini-basement bar, home office, etc.
The bigger the basement, the more you can do with it. There is no limit as to what you want to do with it. You are still in the planning stage right now. Just finish the plan first. That should also give you enough time to save some money. When the time is right to work out your plan, then you’d be ready.