Bamboo can be a beautiful and green option to use as a flooring material for your house.  Once the floor is installed there are a few tips that will help you keep it looking good for many years to come.   Although bamboo is very tough and tends to wear better in comparison to other hardwood floors, by taking care of your floor you can keep it in top condition.  A well taken care of floor brings a sense of peace and beauty to the house, enlivening it not only for the current residents, but future ones as well.   Below are some tips that will keep your floor in pristine condition.

Many people like to decorate with accent rugs, and although these can provide contrast with the bamboo, it is important to make sure the rugs do not have a rubber baking.   Rubber on the back of a rug can create a tight seal with the floor which will not allow the bamboo to “breath” properly; this can lead to discoloration and other problems.   Be sure to choose a rug with a more natural, porous, “breathable” background so the floor under it remains protected.

Also, furniture is heavy, and when moved can easily scuff or scratch your floor.   To prevent this make sure all legs are padded with felt or thick fabric, again be sure to avoid any sliders with rubber-backing.  You also want to make sure the padding is thick enough to prevent heavy furniture legs from leaving indentations on your bamboo floor.  It is much easier and less costly to prevent scuffs, scraps, and indentions than to fix them after the fact, so you may want to shop around for furniture coasters before your floor is even installed!

Now that we have discussed how to prevent problems, let’s look at the best way to clean and maintain your floor’s beauty.  It is best to prevent spills whenever possible, but many people have children, or entertain, and these situations are rife with potential accidents.  When spills do happen it is important to not let them sit.   If you can quickly soak the spill up with a dry rag, and then go over the spot with a damp rag of highly diluted vinegar-water then the spill will be less like to discolor your floor.   Although cleaning with diluted vinegar-water is safe for most bamboo floors, some manufacturer require that owners ONLY use a specific cleaning product in order for the floor to be covered under the manufacturer’s warranty.

Using a gentle cleaning solution is one aspect for preserving your floor’s beauty, it is equally important to use soft rags for wiping, and soft bristle brooms when sweeping.  You should sweep your floor once a week so that dirt and debris do not have a chance to accumulate and scratch your floor.  You may need to sweep more often if you have children, pets, or areas of especially high traffic.   A dust mop may be more convenient for a quick cleaning especially if there are no large particles that need sweeping and a broom pan.   A dust mop may also be gentler in the long run than even the softest bristle broom.   By having all of these tools on hand you can pick what best works for you cleaning needs.

Finally, if you place an eye-catching and tasteful doormat by each entrance guests will be more likely to wipe their feet or even take off their shoes.   Many Asian homes ask all entrants to remove their shoes, which can bring a sense of peace to the gathering, and make guests more aware of the space.  This not only stops people from bringing dirt in, but can also make less cleaning in general later, because a general feeling of peace and tidiness underlies everyone’s awareness.

By following proper preventative and maintenance steps you will extend the life of your bamboo floor.   This will bring joy to you and your house for years to come!!