The Best Way To Clean & Maintain Your Herringbone Floor So That It Lasts For Years

If you have herringbone flooring in your home, you know just how many perks come with this design choice. It instantly adds visual interest to any room you put it in, stays in style, and helps bring a luxurious feel to your home. It also seamlessly integrates into any interior, from traditional to modern design aesthetics. Plus, this sophisticated flooring style may give your home value a boost, as its distinctive, refined look typically appeals to prospective homebuyers. But for herringbone flooring to keep looking its best for years to come, regular maintenance is important, including proper cleaning, occasional refinishing or realignment, and protecting your floor's surface.

Not all herringbone floors are created equal, as the term refers only to the pattern in which the boards are laid. It describes the interlocking zig-zag pattern of the floorboards. The flooring itself can be made of different materials, and the way you should maintain your floors will depend on what they're made of. Wood stands out as one of the best materials for herringbone floors and one of the most common choices for this style. With the right maintenance tricks, this kind of flooring can stay in perfect condition for years.

In the recipe for beautiful and long-lasting herringbone flooring, regular cleaning is the main ingredient. Approximately once a week, your herringbone floors will need a good sweeping or vacuuming to remove accumulated dust and dirt. To avoid scratching up your floors while you're at it, use a soft-bristled broom or a gentle vacuum attachment. Follow up with a mop to make sure your floors are squeaky clean. As you're mopping, keep it damp rather than wet, since excess water can seep into the board edges and cause warping over time. Once a month, deep-clean the floors using an appropriate cleaning solution. The cleaner should be pH-neutral to avoid damaging your floors with harsh chemicals.

Over time, your herringbone wood floors may get a bit scratched up or start looking dull. In some cases, the individual floorboards could even come loose. While these situations aren't the end of the world, they do call for some restoration to bring your floor back to its original glory and prolong its life. To restore their shine, occasional refinishing can help. Meanwhile, getting the floorboards professionally re-laid back into their perfect herringbone pattern is the go-to option if there's any misalignment.

To keep this elegant flooring option that elevates your home in the best shape possible, prevention goes a long way. Lay protective mats, area rugs, and furniture pads in any high-traffic spots that could mean potential scratches. To avoid warping, make protecting your floors from excess moisture a priority. Accidents can always happen, but make sure to clean up any spills immediately to keep your floors looking their best for a long time.