Teak hardwood floors are world renowned for their incredible durability and resistances to fungal infections, insect infestations, and nearly all forms of inclement weather. That doesn't necessarily mean that they’re made of titanium and/or that they don't need any routine or periodic maintenance. In fact, with a little care and attention a teak hardwood floor can repay its owner with a lifetime of attractive flooring and add both emotional and monetary value to any property.
The most obvious piece of advice to give owners of teak hardwood flooring is not to subscribe to the myth that products made from teak are complete and totally invulnerable to all kinds of damage. Properly prepared teak is extremely durable for a wood, but ultimately it is still a wood and thus subject to being damaged in the same way as any other wood. For that reason it is unadvisable to allow liquid spills to go uncleaned for any longer than necessary, or to allow dirt or grit to build up.
Owners of teak hardwood floors are also well advised to only use vacuums with attachments specifically designed for hardwood floors. Failing to do so could result in dings and dents that would potentially mar an otherwise attractive. On the subject of dents and dings it is certainly advisable to attach felt pads to the feet of every piece of furniture that will come into contact with a teak hardwood floor. Just because teak hardwood flooring scores very high on the Janka hardness scale doesn't mean it is completely impervious to everyday mishaps.
One final piece of preventive maintenance that often goes unheeded is to keep curtains and blinds closed. The destructive ultraviolet rays of the sun are capable of causing unsightly and irreversible discoloration in teak and other types of hardwoods over extended periods of time. The change may be hard to notice on a day to day basis, but over time can easily become perceptible.
Teak hardwood flooring requires periodic oiling to keep its natural luster and durability. This process begins with thorough cleaning which should involve using a fine spray of water and a high quality dust mop to remove grime and loose dirt. Repeat the process a few times to ensure that all dirt and grime has been removed before using a specialized teak cleaner. It is extremely important that there be no dirt or grime before applying the teak clearner. One should never use abrasive general purpose floor cleaners on teak as the harsh chemicals can permanently damage the teak.
It is important to note that many teak cleaners contain acids that strip the surface layer of the teak flooring which will later be resealed using a teak oil. There are some single-part teak cleaners on the market but many consumers trust the tried and true traditional cleaning method with their expensive teak hardwood flooring investment.
Applying the teak cleaner requires the use of a firm, non-metallic scrub brush and a lot of patience. Once the teak cleaner is evenly applied throughout the floor it must be allowed at least an entire day to settle. If, at the end of that time period the teak coloration is too dark then it is time for another cleaning and waiting period, if not then the final step is to apply a special teak oil used exclusively for this single event.
Teak oils come in many distinct varieties and can alter the color of teak hardwood flooring to a minor degree with each coat. Some varieties of teak oil work best with certain species of teak hardwood timber. Apply as many coats as necessary to achieve the desired richness and depth of color with a damp rag soaked in the teak oil and follow the instructions on the packaging.
Many consumers perform this cleaning process every year or every few years. The process should be performed whenever the teak in question seems to be significantly faded.
Owners of teakwood flooring should never let their pristine floors go uncleaned for any length of time. Considering how easy the task of routine sweeping and mopping is, it is not unreasonable to attempt to properly clean a large are of teak hardwood flooring every day. This is especially true for active families who chose teak hardwood flooring because it was durable and easy to clean.
Those are the basics of keeping teak hardwood floors in fabulous shape: preventive maintenance, periodic oil applications, and frequent sweeping and mopping. Keeping a teak hardwood floor in top form isn't completely effortless, but it isn't difficult or expensive either.