How to Maintain Cork Floors
September 23rd, 2010
Question: I am planning to change my linoleum floor to cork tiles. But I want to make sure that I can take care of them properly. Can you tell me the many ways on how I can make the cork floors more long-lasting?
Answer: Cork floors are actually very easy to maintain. They are considered to be hypoallergenic, environment friendly, and noise reducer. They are also known for their durability. In case you don?t know, the floors of the Library of Congress and all other old buildings and establishments have cork floors. Now that definitely gives you an idea how long they can last. Moreover, they are convenient to install.
But just like what you said, you can still make sure that they can last for centuries. Here are some of the easy ways to take care of your cork tiles:
1. Clean the floor regularly. Dust, grit, sand, and dirt can create abrasions into your cork floors, not to mention that they can be inhaled by your loved ones, which may lead to asthma and other respiratory illnesses. Thus, you have to ensure that the cork floors are regularly cleaned with the use of a broom or, better yet, a vacuum cleaner. Check that the latter has a microfilter, which prevents the smallest of particle, even microorganism, from escaping your dust bag.
2. Add breathable mats in your entryways. Just so you don?t invite dirt into your home and into your cork floors, and allow it to build up, include breathable mats in your main doors. Keep in mind that your choice should be nonporous or not made or rubber, since they have the tendency to trap moisture into the cork tiles.
3. Add protectors to the legs of your furniture. The pressure coming from the legs of tables, chairs, and other furniture and fixture can produce scuffs into the cork tiles. To avoid them, add protectors or soles into them. When you are going to move them around your home, it?s advisable that you ask someone to help you in carrying them across the floor. Don?t drag them, if you don?t like their edges to come up with scratches into your cork floors.
4. Check the finish of your cork tiles. If you want them to look brand-new at all times, you have to monitor their finish. Usually, they experience premature wear when there is high traffic, or there are a lot of people who step on the cork floors. Moreover, cork tiles cannot withstand the heat of the sun. They lose their color a lot faster. If you can?t avoid placing cork tiles directly under the heat of the sun, it would be better to add blinds and curtains in your windows. This is to soften the impact of the sunlight.
5. Keep spills out immediately. If you happen to stain or spill something into your cork tiles, you have to immediately remove it using an absorbent cloth or a damp mop. Avoid utilizing chemicals, which may only damage the finish of your cork floors.
