Parquet Care

Parquet is the oldest way to decorate the floor in the house, which gives elegance and solidity to the room. If you decide to decorate the home’s interior with natural, ecological wood material, then you need to know what parquet care includes. Many people think that caring for parquet is a long and laborious process, but in fact, not everything is so complicated. It is only necessary to take into account some features of this coating, so that with proper use and care such a solid, warm, comfortable floor will last you at least 60 years.

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Parquet Features

Parquet consists of natural ecological material - wood. It is because of this that the floor “breathes”, but that means it absorbs moisture. And if the humidity in the room is increased, then the coating may swell over time. With excessive dryness, other problems arise - cracks appear, as the tree dries up.

Use some simple tips when laying strips - this will greatly simplify your care for parquet in the future and will prevent a number of possible problems. The tricks are as follows:

1. At the masonry stage, moisture protection plays an important role at the base of the parquet masonry, as well as around the perimeter. Therefore:
   • On the base of the parquet, on the surface of the parquet screed, cover the vapor barrier.
   • Leave a 1 cm gap along the perimeter of the parquet and fill it with elastic sealant, which will allow the parquet to expand when the temperature regime changes.
2. Cover the parquet on top with several layers of varnish or an oil-wax mixture to prevent moisture from entering the structure of the wood flooring.
3. Before flooring, observe optimum temperature and humidity conditions. Do not store parquet for more than a month before laying.
4. Lay the art parquet within 3 days from the moment of opening the protective packaging.

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Enemies of the Parquet

For an environmentally friendly floor to serve you for many years, get acquainted with its enemies and prevent their appearance:

• Turning off the heating in the winter. Temperature below 10 C leads to freezing of the parquet. That is why laying parquet will be inappropriate in an unheated room.
• The air heating mode is above 30 C. If a centralized heating system does not provide you with the desired level of comfort, try to provide an option for individual heat supply, correlating the existing capabilities with the level of safety. In this case, the solution to the problem of how to care for parquet in the winter will be much easier. Do not use heat sources that require direct installation on the floor.
• Repair finishing work. Typically, plastering, leveling walls, painting work associated with increased humidity and a change in microclimate. If the repair and finishing work lasts more than 5 days, then this negatively affects the flooring. Therefore, try either to complete everything as quickly as possible, or do the laying of the parquet only after finishing the walls and ceiling. The second approach will save you time and cleaning products that you will then have to spend on cleaning the room.
• Frequent and sudden changes in temperature and humidity. Ventilating the house in the winter by opening wide open windows harms the wooden floor.
• Prolonged heating of the room and lack of ventilation are also undesirable. For example, in winter, a closed room with a working heating element.
• Excessive humidity. This can happen if you use irrigation systems for indoor plants.

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Parquet Care Rules

Parquet care includes several mandatory procedures that must be performed regularly. In addition, no one is safe from spilled drinks, water or other troubles associated with pollution of the floor covering. Therefore, during the operation of the flooring it is very important to adhere to the following rules:

1. If a large amount of water gets on the coating, remove the liquid as quickly as possible and leave the floor to dry.
2. To preserve the varnish film, use wax polishes and parquet oils.

Important! If the varnish layer is broken, be sure to update it to protect it from moisture.

3. The optimum temperature for a parquet floor is 20 C. Air humidity is from 45 to 60%.
4. Use protective mats in front of the door and inside the house:
   • Hard - for collecting particles of sand, etc.
   • Soft - for absorption of water, snow, dirt applied from the street.
5. Vacuum the floor regularly using special soft nozzles, and wipe with a dry cloth from time to time.

Important! If the floor is covered with wax, oil, then wet cleaning is strictly prohibited.

6. The first 2 weeks after varnishing, remove dust only with a vacuum cleaner.
7. If a dog lives in the apartment, then after a walk, be sure to wash her paws. This will save parquet and save you from germs.
8. To clean the contaminants, use special parquet care products.
9. Stick soft felt protective “slippers” on the legs of upholstered furniture so as not to damage the coating.
10. When using furniture on wheels (work chair, TV cabinets, etc.), use protective office floor mats to prevent varnish wear.
11. Install furniture in the room no earlier than 2 weeks after applying the last coat of varnish.
12. It is strictly forbidden to walk on the parquet in stilettos. Wear slippers to protect the floor.
13. In the first weeks after varnishing, do not cover the floors with carpets, as they prevent the varnish from drying out.
14. Parquet under varnish should be sanded 0.2-0.4 mm once every 5-8 years and covered again with a protective solution.
15. A floor covered with wax mastic or oil does not need to be sanded and varnished regularly during operation, but it needs more careful and frequent care.
16. On parquet floors, where there is no heavy load (in apartments), apply care products as needed (1 time in 2 months). Floors with an average load (offices, stairs, corridors) process every 2-4 weeks. Floors in places with increased load (shops, cafes, schools), process means every 8-14 days.

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Parquet care varnished

Good protection of a tree against damages, pollution, wear is varnishing. Such a floor can be cleaned using wet cleaning, but note that wet cleaning on parquet, which is first varnished, is not recommended. Better use a vacuum cleaner until the varnish gains strength.

Important! After proper wet cleaning, the wooden surface should dry in 1 minute.

For cleaning you will need:

• Mop.
• Soft fabric.
• Warm water.
• Parquet cleaner.

The use of these products to ensure proper care of the parquet is very simple:

1. If there are no visible dirt or stains on the floor, moisten the cloth with plain water, squeeze it thoroughly and wash the floor.
2. If spots have appeared on the surface and it is not possible to remove them with a damp cloth, then use special detergents to clean the parquet coating.

Important! For varnished parquet, do not use abrasive materials, detergents or detergents for dishes, or chemical solvents.

The daily care of the parquet floor should be soft and not too intense. Wipe the varnished coating with a soft cotton cloth or a hair brush, use a well-wrung rag. The general cleaning of the parquet is necessary only in case of severe pollution and hardened stains of dirt.

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Parquet care products

Products for gentle parquet care are divided into 2 large groups:

1. Cleaners or cleaners. These products are designed to remove stains, traces and various stains.
2. Protective and decorative coverings. These tools help to hide minor damage, improve the appearance of the coating after cleaning, and also maintain the quality characteristics of a wooden surface.

The choice of these tools determines the flooring, as varnishes for parquet are:

• Glossy - they give the surface a silky sheen.
• Semi-matt, matte, with which emphasizes the natural pattern of wood.

How to use cleaners?

Lacquer companies include floor cleaners in their product range. They can be in the form of concentrates and aerosols. High-quality products for the care of parquet floors are neutral to varnish and do not leave marks or stains on the floor.

The method of application is simple:

1. Mix a small amount of the product in a bucket with water.
2. Dampen rags in the solution.
3. Wipe the floor with a special mop.
4. Remove stubborn stains with special aerosols: apply foam from the spray can to the place of contamination and wipe the surface with a napkin.

Important! There are certain types of parquet care products on sale: cleaners from strong contaminants, such as traces of bicycle tires, rubber shoes, etc.

How to use decorative polish?

Be sure to treat the cleaned surface with special fresheners and reducing agents (polishes). A thin layer of polish will protect the wooden surface and increase its water-repellent and anti-slip properties.

Important! In order for parquet care to be correct, treat with decorative polishes once every 1-2 months.

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Folk parquet care

If your financial capabilities or personal household preferences do not allow you to use household cleaning products, some pollution can be removed using alternative methods:

• Traces of colored pencils, felt-tip pens, greasy stains and chocolate stains should be removed using white spirit. Moisten a piece of soft cloth in a small amount and wipe off dirt.
• Black strips from shoes rub with a nylon cloth.
• Remove nail polish with acetone diluted with water.
• Freeze chewing gum and wax on the surface with ice, then remove with a plastic spatula.

Important! After cleaning the floor with any of the listed products, wipe the surface with a damp cloth.

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We hope that using the above recommendations and tips, caring for your parquet floor will seem a lot easier and easier than you thought or expected. Use high-quality coating care products, and parquet will last you for many decades.