Bell Hardwood Floors Maintenance Guide

If you have any other questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to call or email us!

Regular Cleaning

  • Use Bell Floor Cleaner (safe to use on all types of floors) concentrate diluted with water when mopping floors
  • Sweep floors regularly with a soft nylon bristle broom, an untreated synthetic dust mop, or a light weight vacuum to keep loose dirt/grit from scratching your floor and finish.
  • *Do not use a vacuum that has a beater bar.
  • *No wet mopping/steam cleaners as they can discolor or damage floor

Do not use unauthorized maintenance products

  • Such as oils soaps, paste wax, or other cleaners containing lemon oil, citrus oils, tung oils, ammonia, or silicone.
  • *Do not use 2 in 1 cleaner that contain acrylics or urethane polish to restore gloss, as use of these products could void warranty.
  • *Do not use treated commercial dustmop or Swiffer type products as they may contain petroleum-based solvents that can leave a chemical residue.
  • These products when used over time, can leave a buildup on your finish which can cause the finish to dull and can adversely affect the ability to refinish your floors in the future.

Clean up all spills

  • All spills must be cleaned up immediately.
  • Do NOT let spills sit overnight.
  • Clean up with dry soft cloth or sponge.

Pets

  • Keep pet nails well-trimmed and paws free of dirt, gravel, grease, and other staining agents.
  • Pet urine, feces or vomit should be cleaned up immediately as they can damage your floor.

Preventions

  • Use walk off mats at interior/exterior doorways (front door, garage, slider, etc..) to trap grit from incoming traffic.
  • Remove spiked, damaged, or worn-out high heels before walking on floors.
  • Use area rugs in high traffic areas.
  • Use window coverings on any windowsthat may expose flooring to extreme heat. (Too much heat will adverselyaffect the flooring causing excess shrinkage/warpage).

Furniture

  • Use fabric faced glides on all legs of furniture. (Allows furniture to be moved without scuffing) *Clean the glides regularly since grit can become embedded in them & replace glides when worn out.
  • Use a protective sheet of Masonite (smooth side down) when moving heavy objects across the floor. (Pianos, hutches, appliances, etc.)
  • Office/desk chairs should be rubber barrel to prevent dents/scratches.
  • Rug pads containing PVC can off-gas and damage the floor finish.
  • Rugs with flexible backs or solid vinyl should not be used as they cannot breathe and could discolor or make the surface slippery.

Suggestions

  • During dry winter months, use a humidifier to keep wood movement (shrinkage) to a minimum.
  • During humid summer months, use an air conditioner and/or additional ventilation to keep wood from picking up too much moisture.
  • *Helps to have a thermostat with humidity levels to monitor at home.
  • *Cupping/splitting are a reaction to either extreme dry or wet conditions and not related to a manufactured/ installation defect.
  • *Humidity levels should be kept between 32%-42%.
  • We recommend maintenance coats every 2-5 years (depending on foot traffic and lifestyle) when you notice traffic or wear patterns in your finish.
  • Do NOT let your finish wear down to the bare wood, this will prevent the floor from being able to have only a maintenance coat done, thereby requiring a complete sand and finish.