Maintaining bamboo flooring is not something that happens by accident. Left on its own, the floor will deteriorate, any problems that arise will get worse and the quality of the floor will decline.
Some of the job of maintenance is about troubleshooting, but much of it is a case of taking general care of the product.
Maintaining Bamboo Flooring
One thing that should be done is for the bamboo floor to be dust-mopped, vacuumed or swept with a broom frequently. Like any hardwood floor, bamboo flooring can gradually be worn by the particles of dust that collect on it and so this act can help stop the build-up of small particles. Similarly, spillages and dirt should be removed quickly to stop them causing damage.
One way of preventing dirt and dust getting onto the floor in the first place is to have place mats situated at strategic locations, particularly around the doorway where people may step into your house from outside. It may be better still to have people take off their shoes when they come in. Another good reason to have mats in place is that they can cover against spillages.
When it comes to shoes, it should particularly be noted that stiletto heels in a poor state of repair should certainly be avoided if at all possible, since these can cause dents in bamboo flooring.
Another source of frequent denting is that caused by the castors and legs of furniture. The best way to prevent these is to place special pads under them to prevent bamboo floors being compressed by direct contact.
One further step that may be taken to prevent damage is to have a dehumidifier in place, as bamboo is prone to cracking when humidity falls below 20 per cent. In this context, it is worth remembering that bamboo is a tropical plant not used to very dry conditions.
Bamboo floors may have a finish that loses its sheen over time - when this state of affairs does finally arrive, you can recoat with a urethane finish.
Cleaning Bamboo Flooring
Like any floor, bamboo flooring will have things spilt on it from time to time. Obviously one thing that should be avoided is leaving water standing for any length of time, as the material is porous and will swell up, even though it is more water resistant than genuine hardwood. However, you should also be aware that cleaning bamboo flooring with a lot of water is also unwise for the same reason, so a soaking wet mop should not be used.
Similarly, when cleaning bamboo flooring the key is to use a urethane cleaner and never, ever wax. Some bamboo cleaning materials must be mixed with water but the maker's instructions on this point must be followed very closely.
Small marks may be cleaned from a bamboo floor using a wood floor cleaner and gentle rubbing with a cloth.
It may seem like a lot to remember for bamboo flooring, but the essential message is simple: Keep it clean, not too wet or dry, avoid dirt and dents and don't mix the wrong chemicals when cleaning it.
By following these instructions, the bamboo floor will have a long and happy life, making your home look beautiful, modern and stylish.
