Old floorboards - their unique look, distinctive smell and natural texture - this is what makes old wood a timeless product. The beauty of reclaimed floorboards also lies in their usability. Old floorboards will work equally well in the hallway, bedroom, living room or even kitchen - in the latter room, however, the old wood needs to be cared for systematically - so that it retains its pristine texture for longer.
How do you clean old wood? - Those who have opted for this material in their home often wonder.
Systematically, we answer: only then will your old recycled floorboards retain their value and look better year after year. As professionals in our field, we ensure that the older the wood - the better. The old wood planks we offer are at least 30 years old, which makes them a commodity that needs proper maintenance.
Many old-wood enthusiasts claim that the raw material, which has been exposed to various atmospheric agents for decades - should not be damaged at home, as it is not threatened by windstorms, heavy rain, UV radiation or sulphurous frosts. However, it is very likely that the wood will wear out much quicker indoors than outdoors.
The main reason for this prediction is chemicals. Those who use preparations composed on the basis of various detergents to clean old floorboards will certainly cause the floor to wear down more quickly - contrary to their expectations.
Instead of using products of doubtful origin, which are labelled "number one floor cleaner" and can be found in every hypermarket, it is better to buy their milder counterparts. Wood is a natural material which, although strong and durable, deserves to be treated gently. Storms or sunshine do not weaken its structure - they only affect its colouring. Cleaning products, on the contrary, damage the wood fibres without interfering too much with their colour.
So what should you use to clean old wood? It's best to use oil waxes for this purpose, which will make the floor shine and make it anti-static, inhibiting dust and dirt from settling. It is worth mentioning at this point that it is forbidden to clean old wooden plank floors with wet and rough mops. Reclaimed floorboards should only be wiped with a slightly damp and soft cloth, but only if necessary.
A great way to clean old wood is also with drill brushes, which can be purchased at any DIY store. By attaching special cleaning pads to the drill chuck, you can precisely and thoroughly clean old reclaimed floorboards and restore their original colour.
To perpetuate the effect, the floor can also be treated with linseed varnish, a non-toxic impregnant made from flax seeds. Any other specifics can damage the coating and even expose scratches... so it is worth following the advice related to the proper care of old floorboards and cleaning them only with dedicated products.