Should you judge them by their colors and greens, dark walnut and red oak are very distinct hardwoods, but concerning wearability, they aren’t very distinct. Their Janka hardness evaluations are in the exact same range, and both are on the low end of their scale to get hardwoods. This means that when they’re used for floors, both hardwoods are vulnerable to scratches and scrapes and also need a permanent, protective finish. Caring for the finish isn’t difficult.
Avoid Water
Water can damage red oak and walnut flooring, no matter how tough a finish it has. It isn’t a fantastic idea to wet-mop, and if you do, you must dry the floor immediately after parting. Standing water can seep between the boards and swell the wood, and also the end result can be cupping boards. For the exact same reason, you ought to avoid steam mops, which really push water vapor during the gaps between boards. Whichever cleaning option you use, the best method to apply it would be to utilize a rag, work in dry and sections each section with another rag before moving on to another.
The very best Cleaners
If your floorboards came prefinished, the manufacturer probably supplied a list of recommended cleaners. A number of these contain a non-aqueous solvent that’s guaranteed safe for the finish, which are also effective on floors which have been completed on-site. In a pinch, you can create your own cleaner by adding 1/2 cup of vinegar to a gallon of warm water and wiping it on the floor with a rag. Vinegar is acidic; it cuts through grime, but it could also dull the finish, therefore avoid strong vinegar solutions. Similarly, avoid ammonia-based cleaners and silicone-based polishes.
Dealing With Scratches
The best way to deal with scratches is to refrain from making them: Do not drag furniture throughout the floor; leave your high-heeled shoes at the door; and prevent vacuuming with a carpet brush. Surface scratches are still bound to happen, and you can generally erase them by wiping them with a rag and a dilute solution of clear floor finish or a finish-restoring product that contains urethane. If a scratch penetrates to the timber, you might choose to learn how to live with it before the floor sustains enough scratches to warrant sanding and refinishing. It is likely to sand out a scratch on an individual board, however, the board might not match the remainder of the floor after you refinish it.
Spill Remediation
Spills are always easier to remove if you wipe them off when they happen. Use a rag dampened with water to eliminated stains from dried meals, soft drinks and juice. Should you need more cutting power, switch to white vinegar, and eventually, if needed, mix equal portions of ammonia and water and rub it only on the stain. Rinse with water and dry the floor whenever the stain is gone. Standing water may leave white marks, and also the easiest way to find these out would be to spread mayonnaise over them and leave it overnight. Oil in the mayonnaise seeps to the finish and also replaces the water which causes the discoloration.