How to Care for Cork

How to Care for Cork

How to Care for Cork

As a flooring option, cork is naturally insulatingmaterial, insect resistant, mold resistant and durable. The type of cork that is used for flooring is truly a byproduct of the production process for cork wine stoppers, making it an environmentally friendly, sustainable substance. Together with these resources, it is also comparatively easy to wash and maintain, though there are a few precautions you should take to keep it looking its best.

Light

Because bamboo is a natural wood product, its colour will fade if it is exposed to direct sunlight for a long time. To maintain your cork flooring’s color, install drapes or blinds over the windows in the room. Close the drapes or blinds once the room isn’t in use or sunlight is shining directly through those windows. You can further protect the floor by simply rearranging your furniture occasionally so no areas of the floor are constantly in shadow. This helps ensure that any colour change occurs uniformly.

Humidity

Elevated levels of moisture in the atmosphere can lead to cork to buckle, and constantly fluctuating humidity can be almost as damaging. To prevent your floor from warping, consider placing a dehumidifier in the room, especially if you live in a humid location. Keep the area’s relative humidity at approximately 50 per cent, if possible. If you use floor mats in the room, for example by doors or sinks, use products with a breathable funding. Rubber-backed mats may harm the surface of the cork by trapping moisture in the floor.

Cleaning

Dirt and grit can scratch cork floors readily, so vacuum or sweep often to keep the finish on the floor like new. If the floor requires a more thorough cleaning, use a gentle, nonabrasive detergent — preferably one designed for cork floors — along with a damp mop. Spray the cleaner onto the floor gently and mop this up immediately to avoid the moisture from seeping into the cork. Likewise, wipe up spills and melts as soon as they occur.

Other Factors

Furniture, high-heeled shoes and even pet nails can leave indentations in cork floors. To avoid this damage, eliminate heels before walking around the floor, trim your pet’s nails regularly and place furniture items on wide castors to distribute their weight across a larger surface area. Utilize castors with felt pads on the floor to protect the floor’s finish. If you need to move the furniture, lift it rather than dragging or pushing it. As time passes, you might choose to refinish your bamboo flooring or apply a bamboo flooring dressing to renew its surface.

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