Care of Hardwood Floors Necessary

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1067, 3 September 1930, Page 6

Care of Hardwood Floors Necessary

Best Effects When Finished With Wax Well-kept hardwood floors add much to the attractive appearance of the home, and, if cared for properly, they improve in colour year by year. Wax is one of the best finishes. Worn places are more easily restored on a waxed floor than on floors with any other finish, because these places may bo retouched with the wax, and still match the rest of the floor (says a writer in the Australian “Home Beautiful”). The filling and first waxing of a new floor are best left to an expert. After a good surface has been obtained, it will not be necessary to rewax often. With a simple routine of care, the floor stays in good condition. It should be dusted twice a week with a dry mop, and polished every month with a weighted brush, a woollen cloth, or a dry mop. Parts of the floor which are used most should be given a thin coat ■ of wax at the first sign of wear. Let the wax dry for an hour, then polish. No retouching is necessary for the surrounding area. Soiled spots may be removed with a cloth dipped in turpentine or gasoline. Either will remove the surface wax holding the dirt, and leave the floor bright and clean. Do not use water, for it removes the wax finish. Leaking pipes sometimes cause white spots on waxed floors. If these do not yield to the turpentine or liquid wax treatment, rub the spots with a cloth dipped in weak ammonia water, and apply fresh wax. If this routine is followed, the entire floor will generally require rewaxing but once each year.