Floor Care Routine Maintenance and Preventative Care

Viking Lakeshore Care & Cleaning Guide

Never wet mop your floor, and always clean up spills and standing water as soon as possible. With water or any other cleaning agent, be sure to thoroughly ring out the applicator or mop prior to applying it to the floor. A damp mop is fine as long as the moisture is limited to an amount that will evaporate almost immediately. Moisture that is allowed to seep into the seams between the planks may cause damage to your flooring. Do not allow soiled mats or rugs to stay on the floor as they can trap moisture on the surface.

Did you know your hardwood flooring is highly susceptible to moisture? That is why it is of the utmost importance to keep your home environment stable to avoid the common moisture issues such as cupping, splitting/cracking, gapping, etc. Keep your floors from becoming too dry or too wet by keeping the relative humidity within a range of 35 - 55% and maintain an interior temperature between 55°F and 75°F.

• Sweep or vacuum frequently. Clean the floor regularly with Viking Premium Floor Cleaner only or equivalent floor cleaner approved for use on urethane finishes. Do not use waxes, oils, oil soaps, or petroleum-based cleaners under any circumstances. Avoid store bought cleaners; purchase cleaning products appropriate for your hardwood floor from the store you purchased your flooring.
• Do not use water, vinegar, or any combination there of on your floor. This means you should not wet mop your floor. Water can and will damage your floor. A wet rag may be used for cleaning up spills but be sure to thoroughly dry the floor afterward. Additionally, vinegar is acidic, and will break down the finish on your floor over time.
• Do not use solvent-based cleaners.

• For best floor performance, Viking recommends taking shoes off upon entering the installation of a Viking floor. Place walk-off mats and area rugs at entrances and high traffic areas, such as doors, in front of the kitchen sink, and at the bottom of staircases. This will help trap dirt and other material, which can scratch your floor. The mats should be cleaned on a regular basis. These mats should occasionally be moved, with special attention given to mats and rugs that are in direct sunlight, so as to avoid "picture framing". Window treatments are also recommended to help reduce direct sunlight.
• Place felt pads under all furniture. This will help prevent scratching and scuffing from furniture moving across the floor.
• High heels can dent a hardwood floor, regardless of the type of floor or species of wood. This is not an indication of a failure of the floor or the finish, but rather a result of the immense pressure exerted from a high heel. Also, softer woods, such as pine and American Cherry, will dent much easier than oak, maple, or Brazilian cherry.
• Pets' nails should always be kept trimmed to minimize wear.
• Never use rubber mats over Viking flooring as it may damage the floor.

If the finish on your floor is beginning to show wear; it is probably time to have your floor refinished by a professional. There are several options available, depending upon the condition of your floor. Viking recommends consulting a hardwood flooring professional to help decide on the best course of action.