How to Maintain Cork Floors?

Like all flooring materials, cork requires proper care and maintenance to preserve its beauty and longevity. To keep your cork floor looking fantastic for longer, follow our recommended maintenance steps.

One of the simplest and most effective ways to maintain cork floors is via regular cleaning. Dirt, dust, and debris can accumulate on the surface, causing abrasion, scratches and dulling the finish over time. Simply sweeping or vacuuming regularly will help your cork last longer. Ensure, however, that the broom or vacuum has soft bristles or brush so as not to damage your beautiful cork. When necessary, mop your cork floor, but be careful not to use excessive water, as this could lead to the swelling or warping of your cork. Remember to read the label of the cleaning product which you are using to ensure that it is safe to be used with cork.

Endeavour to protect your floor from sudden and drastic temperature fluctuations, or exceedingly humid environments, as both of these can lead to your cork flooring warping or buckling. Similarly, curtains, blinds or other window furnishing can protect your cork floor from harsh sunlight. It can help to occasionally rearrange furniture to ensure that sunlight affected parts of the floor do not significantly discolour from the rest of the floor.
You can prevent this wear before it even appears, though, by using furniture pads under heavy furniture and chairs. Rugs can protect high-traffic areas and mats at entrances minimise the amount of dust and particles which could scratch your delightful cork floor.

Applying the finishing touches to a cork floor

Though cork is somewhat resistant to liquids, you should still wipe up spills immediately with a dry or slightly damp cloth for the previously mentioned reasons. For stubborn stains, however, you can use a mild soap solution or cork-friendly cleaner. Always test cleaning products on an inconspicuous area before applying it to the full floor.

If your cork floor does have a minor imperfection like a scratch or dent, you can use wood touch up markers or wax crayons to improve its appearance. To repair greater damage, the removal of an entire cork tile or plank may be necessary.

The finish of your cork floors is paramount in protecting it from wear and tear. This finish, with time, may wear away, exposing the cork. This can be mitigated by avoiding abrasive cleaners such as steel wool and other harsh scrubbing pads. Ultimately, however, it is perfectly normal for your cork’s finish to need to be reapplied after some time. How often is dependent on the amount of traffic over the cork floor.

By following these steps, you can enjoy the myriad of benefits of cork flooring whilst ensuring it remains a stunning feature in your home for years to come

If you want a durable and easy to maintain cork floor, discover our collection or get in touch today.