Now that you have installed your new cork floors, caring for them is quite simple. While cork flooring is certainly durability and can withstand just about anything you can throw on it, you will want to follow a few simple steps to keep your floors looking new and preserve its usefulness for many years to come.

Cork is one of the easiest floor coverings to care for and maintain. It only takes a little time regularly on some light cleaning of your cork floors surface to keep it looking beautiful. This can be done with a light dust mop, broom or vacuum cleaner.

Try to sweep up debris and dirt brought in on the bottom of shoes that may scratch up the finish and eventually wear away the protective surface.

Never mop the floor with water; however, a slightly damp mop can be used so long as the moisture from it is light enough to evaporate quickly and does not stay on the floor’s surface.

Wipe any spills immediately. Cork flooring will absorb liquid, so it is important to take care of spills as soon as they happen. If the liquid is left on the flooring, it will seep into your floor and may cause deep staining which may be impossible to get out. If you do get the cork flooring stained, there are special cleaners on the market that you should use on your floor that won’t cause additional damage to it.

Take precaution with heavy furniture by putting felt pads under the legs to prevent scuffs and to remember not to drag furniture across the floor as this may result in deep gouges or irreparable damage which may require replacing part of or the entire floor
In areas of the floor that see a lot of foot traffic, you may want to invest in an area rug to cover that section of the flooring to slow down the ware and tear. Still away from rugs that are backed with rubber or foam which could trap moisture and cause fading or discoloration of the cork under that rug.

If your cork floor is regularly exposed to direct sunlight, it will eventually start to fade from the UV rays of the sun. Try to shield the flooring with window treatments, such as curtains, drapes, blinds, or with window tint. You may also want to reposition your rugs and furniture once in a while to give the floor a chance to wear evenly and also allow any natural color changes are even across the entire floor.

However, after years of use, most types of cork flooring will need to be refinished. The time to refinish a cork floor will depend on the foot traffic that the floor is subjected to and the level of maintenance it gets. It is important to refinish the cork flooring before the original coating has worn through to the bare cork. Check with the flooring’s manufacturer for refinishing recommendations. It is best to leave the job of refinishing to a professional.

Cork flooring is eco friendly, attractive, durable, easy on the feet, and fairly reasonable priced. By spending a little time looking after your cork flooring you can be sure that it will continues to look like it was installed yesterday, and will eliminate the need for major maintenance or repairs.