Cleaning and Caring For Cork Floors

Jack_Luca | Jun 18, 2010 |

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Cork floors have many benefits, they offer a cushioning feel making standing and walking less stressful on your legs and feet. This is also a good flooring option when you have little children or seniors who may be susceptible to falls. Cork floors act as an insulator, offer some fire resistance, do not scratch or mar easily, can stand up to high traffic and pets. Cork flooring is also a mold and mildew resistant surface. Cork floors are made of the bark of the Cork Oak tree, the bark is ground up into tiny pieces and pressed together. The colors range from a golden yellow to a deeper brown. The price of cork flooring is comparable to hardwood flooring. Cork floors come in tile forms that require glue, non-glued interlocking tiles and plank-sized pieces, which mimic the look of a hardwood floor.

Daily Cork Floor Cleaning

Sweep cork floors daily to remove dust, dirt and debris.

Blot up spills immediately to avoid stains. Never wipe spills because you will spread the potential stain, always blot with a white rag or white paper towel. Do not use any rags that are dyed because you may transfer the dye to the cork floor.

Cork Floor Care

Place padding under the legs of heavy furniture to avoid leaving dents in the surface of the cork.

Lift, never drag furniture across a cork floor to avoid damaging the surface.

Sealed Cork Floor Cleaning

Fill a bucket with warm water, add 1 teaspoon of a neutral all purpose cleaning solution, mix well. Dip in a soft sponge mop, wring the mop out as much as possible, mop the floor. Immediately dry with a soft cloth. Never use an overly wet mop because the cork can absorb the moisture and cause the floor to swell especially at the seams. Always sweep the floor to remove excess loose dirt and dust before mopping.

Cork Floor Stain Removal

Cork floors are highly resistant to stains.

To remove grease from a cork floor, mix 1 teaspoon of a degreasing mild dish detergent to a bucket of warm water. Dip a clean white rag into the water and soap solution and begin at the outer edge of the grease mark, gently rub the stain working from the outer edge to the center. Dip a clean rag into plain water wipe the area and dry the cork floor with a soft cloth.

Any other stains can be removed with a damp, soft white rag and plain water. If plain water does not remove the stain, only use a mild detergent as explained above.

For dry cork floor stains such as heel marks use an eraser to gently buff away marks.

Unsealed Cork Floor Cleaning

If your cork floor has not been sealed, do not use any water on the surface of the floor because unsealed cork is highly absorbent. Only sweep an unsealed cork floor. Sealing the floor will make the cork much more durable and last much longer. Sealers do not detract from the natural beauty of the floor.

Any damaged cork tiles will require replacement. Laying cork tile is an easy do it yourself project.

Apply a wax finish to cork floors as recommended by the manufacturer.

Never Use: Bleach, Scouring Powder, Steel Wool, White Vinegar, Lemon, Harsh Chemical Cleansers, Steam Cleaners