Parquet polishing – proper care of parquet floors

The ability of parquet to maintain a beautiful appearance for a long time is largely determined by the degree and correctness of its care. Since the parquet floor is the most used part of the room, you need to not only monitor the cleanliness of the floor covering, but also polish the parquet in a timely manner. Polishing will not only restore shine, but will also delay the time of sanding and restoring the parquet.

Parquet polishing is one of the measures for caring for a wooden floor, which consists of rubbing the surface of the parquet floor with a soft material using restorative agents.

Let's look at how to rub parquet at home, what mastics, waxes, oils and polishes are best to use.

Types of parquet polishing

There are several ways to treat wooden floors.

By application:

• hand polishing of parquet. Performed manually or with a mop with a brush attachment using special products;
• machine polishing. Involves the use of floor polishers - single- or three-disc machines. The use of a polishing machine is justified over a large area, due to the high cost of the equipment or its rental.

By surface type:

• glossy (to shine);
• semi-gloss;
• matte.

The choice depends on what decorative material the floor is covered with.

The most common type of coating is polishes, which provide a semi-gloss surface. They are distinguished by: ease of application, environmental friendliness, drying speed, and low price.

Professional means: which is better to use?

1. Faberlic. Liquid concentrate for cleaning carpets, does not damage the pile, removes stains perfectly and gives pleasant freshness. The cost of the bottle is 300 rubles.
2. Karcher. One of the best remedies. The powder does not cause allergies, forms an active foam that fights almost all types of contaminants, and has a pleasant aroma. One package costs 1400 rubles.
3. Nordland. High quality dry cleaning product. It comes in aerosol form, which is very easy to use. Price – 350 rub.

Parquet care products – which polish is best?

Parquet floor polishing products from European manufacturers have received good reviews:

The materials listed in the table are suitable for polishing varnished parquet.

If oil was used as a finishing decorative coating, the surface should be polished using wax. Wax can also form the basis for using polish.

Wax and wax polishes for parquet

Floor wax mixtures can be classified as follows:

By consistency:

• liquid wax for parquet . A convenient option, which is a ready-to-use mixture. Liquid wax does not create problems during application and can be applied to hard-to-reach places (H2Oil - 810 RUR/0.75 l.);

• paste wax for parquet . The option is optimal in terms of application. Can be applied with a spatula, brush, or rag;

• hard wax for parquet . Needs mixing with water. This option is convenient because it allows you to get the ideal shade for a specific gender (for example, Homastic - 221 rubles / 25 g).

By composition:

• oil-wax - a thick mixture that penetrates well into the pores of wood, provides a pleasant soft shine to the floor surface, is applied every six months;

• polish _ Contains only wax, water and polymers. Apply once a month.

By color:

• colorless _ A universal composition that does not change the shade of the parquet board (American Wood Oil Clear – 212 RUR/0.2 l);

• dark – for dark wood (Homastic 221 RUR/25 g);

• bleaching – for light wood (Tehopesu Tikkurila – 900 rub/0.5 l.; Neomid 500 – 300 rub/1 l.)

Before using polishes and oils, the floor surface should be cleaned of dirt. For these purposes, it is advisable to use special products for basic cleaning of varnished or oiled parquet. Good reviews about TM Dr. products. Schutz (polish – 910 rubles/0.75 l).

Features of dry cleaning from dirt

It is produced using special powders, which is why it is often called powder.

Indicated for carpets made of natural materials that cannot be wetted. This avoids shrinkage and deformation of the delicate pile.

The maximum effect is achieved in the fight against fresh and minor stains. The dry cleaning process is quite easy and quick.

It consists of the following stages:

1. 
   Go over the carpet with a vacuum cleaner to remove a layer of dust and lift the pile.

2. Spray conditioner on for about 15 minutes to help remove stains more easily.
3. Spread the powder in an even layer.
4. “Drive” the powder into the pile with a special device for dry cleaning.
5. Rub with a sponge and leave for a while.
6. Remove any remaining powder with a vacuum cleaner.
7. Additionally, you can use a stain remover.
8. A long-pile carpet is sometimes combed to restore its neat appearance.

Folk remedies for polishing parquet

In addition to the mentioned remedies, there are also folk recipes for polishing parquet floors at home, among them are:

• wax (beeswax) with oil (olive, coconut, citrus) in the ratio of 2 tablespoons of wax per 7 tbsp. l. oils The mixture is heated in a water bath or in the microwave until the solid wax dissolves. An absolutely environmentally friendly mixture, suitable for polishing floors in children's rooms and bedrooms. This parquet polishing agent can be prepared for future use. Shelf life – 1 year (when using olive oil) and 2 years (citrus oil).

• wax and turpentine . The ingredients are mixed in equal parts. In this case, the wax is heated in a water bath, then turpentine is gradually poured into it. After the components are combined, the composition is removed from the bath and cooled with constant stirring until the mixture completely hardens.

Attention! Turpentine is a fire hazard; when working with it, you must follow safety rules.

Below we present several techniques for polishing parquet to make it shiny or matte.

Traditional methods and recipes for use at home

Our grandmothers and mothers mostly used simple recipes from improvised means, because in those years there was not such a variety of household chemicals.

Natural substances did an excellent job of removing stains, preserving the family budget and the aesthetic appearance of the carpets.

Here are some of the most effective methods and budgetary means:

How to clean with laundry soap?

It is a real lifesaver. Removes stains not only from clothes, but also from carpets.

Before use, you must prepare a solution based on water (1 liter), soap shavings and turpentine (1 tablespoon each) . All ingredients are thoroughly mixed to form a good foam.

Apply the solution using a soft bristle brush. Then wipe off the dirt with a cloth. After washing the foam, the carpet is left to dry. After airing, the smell of turpentine will go away completely.

Baking Soda and Vinegar: Fast and Effective

The cleaning procedure consists of several stages:

1. First, sprinkle the stain generously with soda and leave for 30 minutes.
2. After this, the powder is removed with a vacuum cleaner.
3. In 1 liter of warm water you need to dilute 1 tbsp. l. vinegar (9%). The resulting solution is poured into a spray bottle and sprayed onto the carpet.
4. After half an hour, it is cleaned with a stiff brush, moving strictly in the direction of the pile.

Soda and vinegar (1 tablespoon each) can also be diluted with water (800 ml) with the addition of a small amount of washing powder. The solution is suitable for spraying and acts even faster – in 10 minutes.

Soda

The principle of operation and method of application is the same - spraying. For 5 liters of slightly warmed water, use ½ cup of powder.

The solution is applied for approximately 30 minutes. Then all that remains is to vacuum the carpet.

You can also cope with dust deposits using dry soda:

• it is scattered on the surface,
• rub lightly
• collected with a vacuum cleaner.

Read more about ways to clean carpets using baking soda here.

Peroxide

One of the most effective ways to remove unpleasant stains from the carpet and restore its brightness and freshness.

First you need to prepare the washing liquid: combine 0.5 cups of peroxide with soda (2 tablespoons) and stir until the grains are completely dissolved.

Spray the carpet with thin streams and wipe away dirt with a soft cloth, then apply the solution again and let it “work” for 15 minutes.

If necessary, rub the stain several more times and dry the carpet completely. To do this, you can use a fan or a small outdoor fireplace.

Washing powder

Suitable for different types of carpets: natural and synthetic . It also copes with the most common stains.

You need to dissolve a little powder in a bucket or basin. You need to stir it vigorously so that the granules are completely dissolved, otherwise they will penetrate deep into the pile and will be difficult to clean.

To work with soap composition, it is better to use a sponge.

Lemon acid

Breaks down even the toughest stains . Apply a little concentrated solution or fresh juice to the carpet. After a couple of hours, it is removed with plain water. Washing is necessary to prevent the fibers from sticking together.

Lemon will help cope with household odors (smoke from the kitchen, animal odors, etc.).

Snow

There is nothing better than natural carpet cleaning. The frost will kill bacteria and dust mites. Dry snow will cope with traces of blood and “surprises” from pets.

You need to rub the carpet with snow on both the front and back sides . Turning it upside down, you can walk on it so that as much dust as possible comes out of the pile. The remaining snow is swept away with a broom.

After such cleaning, the house will be filled with the smell of freshness that no chemical substance can provide.

Polishing varnished parquet

The process of polishing parquet flooring under varnish is carried out in several stages:

• cleaning the floor surface from dust and debris;
• wet cleaning. It is recommended to use special parquet cleaners;
• applying polish after the prepared floor surface has completely dried;
• hardening of the applied mixture (12-20 hours depending on the type);
• applying a second layer of polish (if necessary). The second layer is applied perpendicular to the direction of application of the first.

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Oleg Grishin

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Discussion: there is 1 comment

1. Lech:
   01/24/2019 at 12:15

   I didn’t think that parquet was so difficult to maintain. We must try not to spoil it.

   Answer

Polishing oiled parquet

There are two options to choose from depending on conditions and capabilities.

Cold way:

• surface cleaning;
• applying a thin layer of oil;
• removing excess oil 5-7 minutes after application (performed with a soft rag);
• polishing with a polishing machine;
• applying the second layer (after 5-12 hours). Oil consumption will decrease because the wood is already saturated with oil;
• After the appearance of a “satin” shine, the surface is considered polished.

The good thing about this method is that it does not require the use of special equipment.

Hot way:

• cleaning the floor surface;
• heating the oil to a temperature of 80 °C in a water bath;
• applying oil to the floor using a spatula;
• rubbing oil into wood using a thermal pad;
  Note. Before applying oil, it is recommended to warm up the parquet; a thermal pad is used for this purpose. Oil is applied more evenly to a warm surface, since its cooling process is slowed down.
• If necessary, apply a second layer of oil. Typically, this need arises in places with increased load on the parquet.

The good thing about this method is that it allows the oil to penetrate more deeply into the pores of the wood and increases its service life.

How floors are scraped

When a varnished flooring is badly damaged, there is a need to find a way to remove multiple stains from the parquet. The method of cleaning varnished boards using abrasives is often chosen. To care for heavily soiled parquet boards, use a sanding machine or sand the varnish manually using sandpaper.

Parquet scraping

Such work not only removes stubborn stains, but also eliminates emerging defects. When carrying out the work, the top damaged layer of varnish and the damaged layer of the wooden board are removed. This will require a lot of effort and time, but after you manage to remove the stains from the parquet, the floor will shine, delighting others with its appearance.

To carry out cleaning work, the following activities are carried out:

• all baseboards are removed;
• the floor is cleaned from dust using a vacuum cleaner;
• the boards are moistened generously with warm water;
• scraping is carried out from the center of the room to the walls;
• grinding is done at least 2 times;
• thoroughly clean the floor using a vacuum cleaner;
• the floor is washed and dried well;
• apply varnish 2 times.

After all the work carried out, the floors are protected from stains to preserve their appearance, and they are looked after daily to protect them from corrosive dust.

How to properly remove specific contaminants yourself at home?

Often unexpected dirt remains on the carpet. In each case, there are tricks that allow you to restore the beautiful appearance of the coating. This article will tell you about removing various old stains.

Lizun

Has the consistency of jelly. A fresh stain from a toy can be removed using various traditional methods:

• peroxide,
• soda,
• laundry soap and the like.

Dried dirt is first carefully scraped off with a knife. Next, you will need to treat with special powders or shampoos for cleaning carpets with active ingredients.

Read about ways to remove slime from carpet here.

Plasticine

To harden the stain, you need to use ice cubes. They are wrapped in film and gently moved over the plasticine until it becomes hard. Now it can be easily removed using a plastic knife.

The remaining greasy trace can be removed by any means such as:

• "Vanish"
• “Selena Kovrol” and so on.

The main thing is that they are strong enough to break down fat molecules. Methods for removing plasticine from carpet are described in more detail here.

Mercury

It is necessary to close the door to the room and open the window . Collect mercury balls using a rubber bulb or syringe and release them into a glass jar. Treat the carpet with bleach or potassium permanganate.

To avoid damage to the pile, you can use a solution of laundry soap (2 tablespoons) with soda (1 tablespoon) + 1 liter of hot water.

Read about how to properly and safely remove mercury from a carpet here.

Blood

Fresh stains should be removed with a paper towel or cotton wool soaked in hydrogen peroxide. Ammonia (tbsp / 500 ml of water) will help to completely discolor the marks.

Zelenka

You can quickly deal with fresh contamination:

• regular alcohol
• ammonia,
• peroxide.

You can also use a stain remover. Another tip is to expose the rug to the sun. The brilliant green itself becomes discolored from ultraviolet light .

Smells

They are easy to deal with:

• vinegar,
• lemon juice,
• coarse table salt,
• Various aerosols can be sprayed periodically.

You will find effective recipes for removing various odors from carpet in this article.

Urine marks

You can remove a stain without a trace only if it is fresh. With old marks, it is better to go to dry cleaning.

To remove a stain, you need:

1. 
   Collect all liquid with napkins.

2. Then prepare a solution of vinegar (1 part) with water (3 parts).
3. Water the area generously with this liquid, open the windows and leave for a couple of hours.
4. After this period, sprinkle the stain with regular soda.
5. When the soda has absorbed all the moisture, you can simply sweep it away with a broom, brush, or suck it in with a vacuum cleaner.

Finally, spray a small amount of your favorite fabric softener diluted with water.

Read about ways to remove traces and smell of cat urine here, dogs - in this article, left by a child - here.

What should you consider?

Any problem is solved taking into account the type of board, its coating and the type of contamination.

The parquet floor should not be wetted with water, otherwise it will quickly become unusable.

Excessive moisturizing is unacceptable

, even if the planks are varnished, since the parquet floor is laid from equally small planks. They are tightly fitted one to another. This cladding on a concrete or wood base has many joints that trap water and eventually destroy the wood.

The “For Parquet” product will provide high-quality cleaning and will not damage the expensive wooden flooring.

The means are also selected specially

- specifically for parquet. They form a shiny protective film, polish the boards and close cracks.

Varnished plank floors also require a special approach to cleaning.

And the boardwalk is made from large boards. Their sizes are different. And in order to clean the plank floor, its own nuances are taken into account. Namely, whether it is painted or not. Therefore, caring for wood flooring also depends on its treatment:

All joints can be cleaned with a regular vacuum cleaner with a floor attachment.

• First you need to vacuum the floor
  , that is, use dry washing. This applies to all wood flooring. After all, it is very difficult to wash out dust in cracks and joints, even using the most effective cleaning agent;
• Then wet cleaning
  of the wood floor begins.

How can you clean a very dirty and old carpet, depending on the coating?

When removing stubborn dirt, it is worth considering the color and type of pile. This information will help you choose the right effective and gentle remedy.

Pile type

For long-haired hair, use a soap solution with good foam . It is applied only with a soft cloth. Hard brushes and sponges can ruin the appearance of the product. The most serious stains are additionally treated with a steam cleaner; it is also recommended to purchase special equipment.

There are much fewer problems with short pile. Heavily soiled carpets are cleaned with dry and liquid products. Folk recipes will not harm him either. This type of carpet dries quickly and accumulates less dust.

Color

For dark carpets it is not recommended to use starch, soda or powder. They leave behind ugly stains.

It's better to take:

• vinegar,
• turpentine,
• ammonia.

It is safer to clean white carpets with special products; you can also use :

• soda,
• salt,
• laundry soap.

But lemon juice will leave yellow marks.

Material: viscose, silk, synthetic

Before treating the carpet with any means, look at the label. Natural materials (wool or viscose) require careful handling.

From available means, it is best to use starch or soda; it is also worth purchasing high-quality chemicals for carpets.

Synthetic carpets are easier to care for. It is enough to vacuum them regularly. Stains must be removed while they are fresh, using any convenient means. This way there will be no unnecessary hassle with the carpet. It is better to dry clean silk carpets .

Read more about how to clean wool carpets in this article.

Daily care

If you notice dust, sand, or traces of dirty shoes, immediately remove them with a soft brush or vacuum cleaner. Grains of sand, small pebbles and other hard particles of dirt can scratch and damage the surface, so remove them carefully. Choose a vacuum cleaner attachment with a soft end to avoid damaging the floor. The best option is a vacuum cleaner for parquet. But the question of whether it is possible to wash parquet with a vacuum cleaner does not sound correct!

A washing vacuum cleaner leaves behind a lot of moisture, which is very quickly absorbed into the wood.

A small puddle, any spilled liquid should be wiped up immediately. After all, you don’t want the planks to warp and swell, and then fall out after drying?

Monitor air humidity. In winter, when the heating is turned on, the air becomes dry. Don't be lazy to install a humidifier. By the way, dry air is not only harmful to the flooring, but it is also not very good for your health!

The main causes of parquet contamination

A dirty floor spoils the appearance of the room. Stains on it reduce the strength and quality, which leads to rapid wear of the coating.

The floor usually gets dirty for the following reasons:

• Moisture _ Stains on parquet flooring are caused by liquid spilled on it. An increased level of humidity in a room negatively affects its appearance.
• Pets . Cats and dogs can damage the coating with their claws or go to the toilet directly on the parquet.
• Furniture items . Even if they don't move, the floor is damaged by the weight of large cabinets, sofas and other bulky items.
• Shoes. Heels and especially stiletto heels easily scratch wood flooring.

If you do not clean the parquet floor on time, dust, dirt and sand soon eat into the structure of the wood and cause the development of microbes.

Using different vacuum cleaners

Today, every housewife cleans her home with a vacuum cleaner. But there are several options for this technique. And cleaning is different for each of them:

1. Ordinary. The most common device that is found in every home. Helps remove particles of dust and animal hair from the pile. Before you start cleaning stains, you need to thoroughly vacuum the carpet to rid it of excess dirt.
2. Washing. Steam cleaners help you quickly disinfect and clean your carpet. Baking soda and textile shampoos are used as auxiliary products. The result is simply magnificent. The pile becomes clean, acquires its original color and pleasant smell.

You can find out how to clean a carpet without a vacuum cleaner, for example, from pet hair, here.