Armstrong Hardwood - Maintenance


    

Proper care and maintenance will help ensure your floor always looks its best. Simply follow our maintenance and prevention steps outlined below.

Initial Care:
Following installation, clean with Armstrong Hardwood & Laminate Floor Cleaner. If the floor was glued down, remove any residual adhesive with the appropriate adhesive remover.

Ongoing Routine Care and Maintenance:

  • Vacuum, sweep or dust mop your floor once a week, or more if needed. The vacuum head must be brush or felt, and a wand attachment is preferable. Do not use vacuums with beater bars or hard heads. An Armstrong swivel-head mop with terry cloth cover is also highly recommended to eliminate finer particles of grit and dirt that can act like sandpaper on hardwood floors.
 
  • Spills and tracked-in dirt should be wiped up immediately. For spot cleaning, apply Armstrong Hardwood & Laminate Floor Cleaner onto a clean cloth and rub onto the spot.
  • Never apply wax treatments to your urethane-coated floor.
  • Periodically, as necessary, thoroughly clean the floor with Armstrong Hardwood & Laminate Floor Cleaner using an Armstrong swivel-head mop with terry cloth cover. Spray the floor cleaner directly onto the floor or dampen the swivel-head mop and apply. DO NOT allow excess Armstrong Hardwood & Laminate Floor Cleaner to remain on the floor’s surface. Excess liquid may damage the fiber of the wood.
  • Use interior and exterior doormats at all entrances to collect dirt and moisture and prevent it from being tracked onto the floor.
  • Area rugs are recommended in front of kitchen sinks, at all pivot points and within high-traffic areas. Do not use rugs with solid rubber or vinyl backings. The rugs must be made of a breathable material to prevent moisture entrapment.
  • Never clean or wet mop with water. Water may permanently damage the floor.
  • Never use any of the following products (or products similar in nature) on your floor: ammonia-based cleaners, acrylic finishes, wax-based products, detergents, bleach, polishes, oil soap, abrasive cleaning soaps, or acidic materials such as vinegar. Many of these products can pit or etch the finish of your flooring or prevent the proper use of recommended maintenance materials.
  • Keep animal nails trimmed to minimize finish scratches.
  • Do not damage your floor with shoes having heel taps or sharp objects protruding from the sole such as rocks, exposed nails and gravel.
  • Avoid walking on wood floors with spike- or stiletto-heeled shoes. Spike or stiletto high-heels must be properly maintained to prevent damage from the steel heel support.
  • Do not roll or slide heavy objects directly upon the floor. When moving appliances or heavy furniture, consider laying a solid protective covering on your floor and gently "walk" the item across it. Carpet or cardboard is not adequate to prevent surface compression scratches. 
  • Use furniture leg protector pads under all furniture and make certain to keep them clean and well maintained.
  • Replace hard, narrow furniture rollers with wide rubber rollers.
  • Keep the relative humidity in your home between 35% and 55%.
  •  Protect your floor from direct sunlight. Use curtains and UV resistant film on large glass doors and windows.

Quick Fix Tips
Spots caused by food,water or animals

  • Apply Armstrong Hardwood & Laminate Floor Cleaner to a clean soft cloth.
  • Rub the area to remove the stain or spot.
  • More stubborn spots may require additional cleaning with Armstrong Wipe Clean, followed by cleaning with Armstrong Hardwood & Laminate Floor Cleaner.

Grease/Lipstick/Crayon/Ink Spots/Rubber Heel Marks

  • Apply Armstrong Hardwood & Laminate Floor Cleaner to a clean soft cloth.
  • Rub the area to remove the stain or spot.
  • If stain remains, rub with a cloth dampened with Armstrong Wipe Clean and follow up by cleaning area with Armstrong Hardwood & Laminate Floor Cleaner.

Chewing Gum, Candle Wax

  • Apply a sealed plastic bag filled with ice on top of the deposit.
  • Wait until deposit becomes brittle enough to crumble off.
  • After deposit has been removed, clean entire area with Armstrong Hardwood & Laminate Floor Cleaner.

Minor Abrasions/Scratches

  • Use an Armstrong Touch-Up Kit to make minor repairs

Chips, broken edges and gaps

  • Blend area with an appropriate touch up pen or fill stick from an Armstrong Touch-Up Kit or the appropriate Armstrong Filler.

Deep Scratches/Gouges

  • Individual planks, strips or parquets that are heavily gouged or damaged can be replaced.

Care and Maintenance Guidelines for Armstrong HartWood® Plank, HartWood® Parquet and Pattern Plus®5000. (Non-urethane finish)

Follow these instructions in addition to the previous maintenance and floor care tips:
Renewing worn areas:
Residential: In worn areas refurbish the flooring with an application of Armstrong Spray Tone. Mist the Armstrong Spray Tone on the floor and rub briskly until it has
been completely absorbed into the wood. Allow no excess to remain on the surface. Allow the Armstrong Spray Tone to dry overnight.
Commercial: Using a commercial buffer mist the Armstrong Spray Tone on the floor and buff until dry. For machines of less than 175 RPM, use red pads; machines
of higher speed (up to 1,000 RPM) should use white- or buff-colored pads.
Renewing gloss levels:
Residential: Apply several thin coats of Armstrong Pattern Plus® Shine as necessary to maintain the appearance of the floor.
Commercial: Use a commercial buffer. If the machine is 175 RPM or less, use red or white pads if higher speed. Mist Armstrong Spray Shield in front of the machine and buff until dry. Apply as many coats as necessary to achieve the appearance needed. With minimal usage the floor can be maintained at a satin gloss level. More frequent applications can adjust the gloss to a very high level.