Surface: There is no surface more important then the one we live on

Green Floor, Clean Floor: Natural Cleaning Solutions for Hardwood Floors

By Albert Waitt

If a homeowner is environmentally conscious and chooses to install a wide plank hardwood floor, it's easy for them to remain consistent and "go green" when caring for that floor and keeping it looking its best.  Whether one has chosen a responsibly forested white pine or an antique reclaimed hickory, a green approach to upkeep and cleaning will benefit the homeowner and their wood floor.

When considering how to maintain and clean hardwood floors,

The American Hardwood Information Center offers the following advice:

• Place floor mats and throw rugs at entrances to trap dirt.

• Sweep floors weekly with brooms that have fine, exploded ends.

• Weekly vacuuming will also keep hardwood floors clean.

• Wipe up spills, pet accidents, and other liquid mishaps as soon as possible.

• It is important to remember that water exposure can harm a hardwood floor.

Instead of relying on commercial floor cleaners that may have toxic ingredients, the consumer has green alternatives when choosing materials to keep a wood floor clean and lustrous.   The first step is to determine what kind of finish is on the hardwood floor. 

For hardwood floors finished with polyurethane, Greenerchoices.org, thedailygreen.com, and Martha Stewart  recommend damp mopping with a solution of one cup of vinegar per gallon of water.  The mop should be barely wet, just enough to pick up dust and dirt, but not enough to leave water streaking on the floor itself.  

For wide plank hardwood floors and soft wood floors with a penetrating finish, such as Carlisle's Tung Oil Finish, water should be avoided during maintenance.  In addition to sweeping, dry-mopping, and vacuuming, Care2.com's Live Green Producer

Melissa Breyer recommends a natural Citrus Solvent be sprayed on the floor in a light film and then dry mopped off with a micro-fiber or regular dust mop. 

New green cleaning products are being rolled out on a daily basis and there's no doubt that consumers will have more choices in green floor care in the coming years.  But the tips offered here (and now) are safe and effective.  Through these simple practices, a homeowner can preserve their floor and protect their planet at the same time. 

 

Author's Name: Guest Blogger
Posted Date: August 9, 2008 at 8:05 AM
Filed under: Authors, DIY - Do It Yourself, Green Building and Eco Friendly Products, Guest, Hardwood Flooring, Home Flooring Choices

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Investing in a Wide Plank Hardwood Floor

By Albert Waitt

Wise investment isn't limited to the trading floor of Wall Street.  According to realtors and designers across North America, hardwood flooring adds to a home's value as well as its charm.   Aesthetics and economics converge, and the homeowner reaps the benefits. 

It's clear as to what a hardwood floor can bring to a space in terms of warmth and style.  The Denver Business Journal reported that Colorado designers and homeowners are opting for more hardwood flooring than ever, as it is seen as "timeless," "classic," "elegant," and "adding style to any living area."  The DBJ was also quick to note the accompanying increased resale value of a home with a hardwood floor.  Home décor columnist Rose Bennett Gilbert of the San Diego Union-Tribune and RealEstate.com's renovation guide came to similar conclusions on the investment value found in hardwood flooring. 

Agent Brain Madigan of Toronto, with over 5000 real estate transactions to his credit, believes that hardwood floors are "one of the few improvements that you can make to your house where the resale value may exceed the actual cost of the improvement. The return can easily amount to 150% to 200% or even more."   Although Madigan's numbers represent a best case scenario, statistics from a 2006 National Wood Flooring Association survey of realtors further substantiate the value of hardwood floors.

The NWFA survey found: 

• 99% of real estate professionals indicated that having hardwood floors either "greatly" or "somewhat" aided a home's salability.

• 90% of realtors suggested that homes with hardwood floors will sell for more money than homes with mostly carpet.   (25% of the realtors stated that hardwood floors would add 6 to 10% to a home's resale value, while 12 % believed hardwood flooring would add more than 10% to the sale price.)

• 82% of realtors believed that homes with mostly hardwood floors will sell faster.

• 84% of home buyers who have lived in homes with hardwood floors are more likely to buy another home with hardwood floors.

By choosing hardwood flooring when building or renovating, homeowners can add to the attractiveness of their house, something they will be able to enjoy every day.  They can also view their floor as an investment:  When the home is sold, that hardwood flooring will pay real dividends.   

(Survey results are available from The National Hardwood Floor Association:  http://woodfloors.org/consumer/contact.aspx)  

 

Continue reading "Investing in a Wide Plank Hardwood Floor" »

Author's Name: Guest Blogger
Posted Date: August 7, 2008 at 8:48 AM
Filed under: Authors, Guest, Hardwood Flooring, Home Building and Contracting, Home Flooring Choices

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Tags: floor renovation, flooring, flooring choices, Hardwood floors, home buyers, home buying attributes, home sales, home value, increasing home value, real estate, resale value
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