Taking Care Of Your Bamboo Floor
Is bamboo a hardwood floor? Not really. While at first glance it can be easy to mistake it as another kind of solid hardwood floor – given that they share a similar look and feel, there’s plenty that sets them apart.
For starters, bamboo is “woody grass” – and this is different from hardwood. The plant itself flourishes in areas with heavy rain, growing faster compared to other trees and featuring a different cellular structure. However, just like conventional hardwood floors, bamboo installations are susceptible to water damage.
What about its hardness? This is usually measured using the Janka Hardness Test, where a steel ball is pressed into the wood and then an assessment is made into how deeply the ball will have dented the wood. Bamboo clocks an average Janka hardness rating of 1,300 – 1,400, which makes it harder than Red Oak (1,220), Cherry (950) and Poplar (540). However, bamboo is softer than Red Walnut and Brazilian teak, which have a Janka hardness rating of 2,500 to 3,500, as well as Hard Maple (1,450).
So how do you ensure that your bamboo floor receives proper maintenance? Here are tips and measures to put in place:
- Regular dust and dirt removal
Particulate matter is bound to accumulate on the floor. From dust particles settling on the surface from the air above, to the soiling that gets tracked into the building as people walk in – you want to put in place measures that will reduce the rate at which this happens. This includes carrying out frequent dusting or vacuuming. This will reduce the risks of the scratches being formed on the floor because of loose debris being grinded against the surface, as well as make the indoor space healthier for the occupants.
- Routine floor cleaning
The frequency of the cleaning will depend on how busy a premises is. Commercial establishments like shopping malls and entertainment venues will require the floor cleaning to be carried out daily – even multiple times within the same day, while in domestic environments this can be once or twice a week. Basically, the cleaning here complements the dusting and vacuuming, to get rid of the grime that has adhered to the surface – and you don’t want to wait for too long before having it done. ‘That way you will be able to maintain the lustre of the bamboo floor, as well as the health and hygiene standards of the premises.
Avoid using abrasive cleaning products for the floor cleaning. These are the likes of steel wool, as they are likely to scratch the surface. The choice of floor cleaning agent is critical as well. Harsh cleaners like ammonia will ruin the floor.
Steam cleaning is also a no-no. Excess water is already problematic for these kinds of floors. Heated water will simply accelerate the damage, causing the planks of wood to get warped and distorted – which is definitely not how you want things going.
Allowing liquids to remain on the floor for long increases the chances of them being soaked deeper into the material. Depending on the scale of the spill, as well as the chemical composition of the liquid involved, you end up facing issues ranging from staining and water damage, to the corrosion of the bamboo tissue. Mop up the spills immediately, and when dealing with any resultant stain ensure that you use a floor cleaning agent that will be safe for the installation.
- Minimise risks of scratches
There will eventually be scratches on the bamboo floor – but that does not mean you allow them to build up at a fast rate. Mistakes like dragging the furniture over the floor surface can create anywhere from tiny scratches to all-out gouges in the floor – so for any movement the furniture should be lifted, not dragged across the floor. Even when stationary, the heavy furniture can also affect the floor. While it is used on a daily basis, there are miniscule movements that occur, which cumulatively can cause extensive damage to the floor as the years go by. Having felt protector pads for the furniture will go a long way in protecting your installation.
- Set up doormats at the entrances
With mats in place, you will be able to drastically reduce the amount of dirt being transferred into the indoor space. Actually, you can put in place two mats – one on each side of the door, to cut this down further. As a welcome bonus, they get to enhance the décor of the space. Remember to wash the mats regularly, since they will be trapping large amounts of dirt within the material. When selecting mats, ensure that they have a suitable backing that will be safe for bamboo flooring.
- Leave outdoor footwear outside/at the door
For homes where you have greater authority on the kind of footwear that is permitted in the household, then you can insist on family members and guests leaving their shoes at the door, and switching into pairs of sandals or flip flops that are designated for only indoor use. This reduces the amount of dirt being tracked in, further protecting your floor and making subsequent floor cleaning tasks easier.
- Avoid steam cleaning
With excess water already being a threat to the bamboo floor, hot water just compounds the issue, making it exponentially worse. Heated water on your bamboo floor will lead to accelerated damage, breaking down the tissue structure and calling for major repairs to be made. Stick to floor cleaning methods that minimise the amount of moisture involved in the process.
- Don’t wax or use furniture polish on your bamboo floor
These will end up leaving behind a slippery residue on the floor surface – increasing the risks of accidents in the premises. Here, use a wood floor cleaning spray that is pH-neutral. That way you will be able to get rid of the dirt and grime without posing any risks to the underlying floor, or leaving behind any streaks or residue on the surface.
