Robbins Company Flooring - Manual (Page 2)

Care and Maintenance Guidelines for Robbins ®
ForEver II ™ and ForEver II Satin Finish Floors
Proper care and maintenance will help ensure your floor always looks its best.
Simply follow our maintenance and prevention steps outlined below.
Robbins Recommended Floor Care Products
Armstrong ® or Bruce ® Hardwood & Laminate Floor Cleaner: For use on all
finished hardwood flooring products marketed by Armstrong. A unique cleaner
that lifts soil from the surface of the urethane finish without leaving a film.
Simply apply the cleaner onto a clean cloth for cleaning small areas or spray
directly onto the floor and use an Armstrong or Bruce swivel-head mop with
cloth cover for cleaning the entire area.
Armstrong or Bruce Hardwood & Laminate Cleaning System: An all-in-one,
easy-to-use, quick-cleaning kit for all urethane-finished hardwood and laminate
floors. Kit includes one spray bottle of Hardwood & Laminate Floor Cleaner;
one large, swivel-head mop that collapses for easy reach under furniture and
appliances; and one cloth mop cover that is both reversible and machine
washable.
Bruce Hardwood & Laminate Microfiber Cleaning System: An all-in-one, easy-
to-use, quick-cleaning kit for all urethane-finished hardwood and laminate floors.
Kit includes one spray bottle of Hardwood & Laminate Floor Cleaner; one
swivel-head mop with telescoping pole that collapses for easy reach under
furniture and appliances and two microfiber mop covers.
Armstrong or Bruce Replacement Mop Covers: Each pack contains two soft,
absorbent, terry cloth covers, elastic-fitted for quick and easy replacement on
the swivel-head mop. Covers are reversible and machine washable.
Bruce Microfiber Cleaning System Replacement Mop Cover: Each pack
contains one soft, absorbent, microfiber cover.
Armstrong Restore or Bruce Fresh Finish: An easy do-it-yourself touch-up for
all pre-finished urethane hardwood floors. A great alternative to sanding and
recoating, it restores the original gloss level of your floor even after years of
traffic and wear. Available in two gloss levels – regular gloss for semi to high
gloss floors and low gloss for ultra low to low gloss floors.
Touch-Up Kit: Used for blending scratches and nicks on urethane-finished
floors.The kit contains touch-up markers and filler sticks that blend with the
factory-finished stains plus complete instructions and materials to easily repair
many problems.
Acrylic Filler: Designed to conveniently fill gaps, small openings and broken
edges. Simply apply the material on the area to be repaired and wipe away
excess with a damp towel.
Armstrong or Bruce Floor Protector Pads: For use on the feet of furniture
and appliances to guard against scratching, abrasion and indentations.
Initial Care:
Following installation, clean the floor by sweeping, dust mopping or vacuuming
and use Armstrong or Bruce Hardwood & Laminate Floor Cleaner. If the floor
was glued down, remove any residual adhesive with Armstrong Adhesive
Cleaner.
Ongoing Routine Care and Maintenance:
1. NEVER CLEAN OR WET MOP WITH WATER. Water may permanently
damage the floor.
2. Area rugs are recommended in front of kitchen sinks, at all pivot points and
within high-traffic areas. Do not use rugs with solid rubber or vinyl backings.
The rugs must be made of a breathable material to prevent moisture
entrapment.
3. Use interior and exterior doormats at all entrances to collect dirt and
moisture and prevent it from being tracked onto the floor.
4. Protect your floor from direct sunlight. Use curtains and UV resistant film
on large glass doors and windows. Move area rugs occasionally as they
block sunlight and may give the appearance of discoloring under the rug.
5. Keep animal nails trimmed to minimize finish scratches.
6. Do not damage your floor with shoes having heel taps or sharp objects
protruding from the sole such as rocks, exposed nails and gravel.
7. Avoid walking on wood floors with spike- or stiletto-heeled shoes. Spike or
stiletto high-heels must be properly maintained to prevent damage from
the steel heel support.
8. Do not roll or slide heavy objects directly upon the floor. When moving
appliances or heavy furniture, consider laying a solid protective covering on
your floor and gently “walk” the item across it. Carpet or cardboard is not
adequate to prevent surface compression scratches.
9. Use protective casters/caster cups or felt pads on the legs of furniture to
prevent damage to the flooring. Make certain to keep them clean and well
maintained.
10. Certain types of casters on furniture may damage hardwood flooring.
Barrel-type caster wheels or wide, flat glides are best for protecting your
hardwood floor. If your furniture does not have the right type of caster, we
recommend that you change them. Use Armstrong or Bruce floor
protector pads or protective caster/caster cups on the legs of furniture to
prevent damage to the flooring. Make certain to keep them clean and well
maintained.
11. Keep the relative humidity in your home between 35% and 55%.
12. Never use any of the following products (or products similar in nature) on
your floor: ammonia-based cleaners, acrylic finishes, wax-based products,
detergents, bleach, polishes, oil soap, abrasive cleaning soaps, or acidic
materials such as vinegar. Many of these products can pit or etch the finish
of your flooring or prevent the proper use of recommended maintenance
materials.
13. Vacuum, sweep or dust-mop your floor once a week, or more if needed.
The vacuum head must be brush or felt, and a wand attachment is
preferable. Do not use vacuums with beater bars or hard heads. An
Armstrong swivel-head mop with terry cloth cover is also highly
recommended to eliminate finer particles of grit and dirt that can act like
sandpaper on hardwood floors..
14. Spills and tracked-in dirt should be wiped up immediately. For spot cleaning,
apply Armstrong Hardwood & Laminate Floor Cleaner onto a clean cloth
and rub onto the spot. Never apply wax treatments to your urethane-
coated floor.
15. Regularly clean the floor with Armstrong Hardwood & Laminate Floor
Cleaner using the recommended swivel-head mop with cloth cover. Spray
the floor cleaner directly onto the floor or on the mop cover. DO NOT
allow excess cleaner to remain on the floor’s surface. Excess liquid may
damage the fiber of the wood.
Quick Fix Tips
Spots caused by Food/Water/Animals
• Apply Armstrong or Bruce Hardwood & Laminate Floor Cleaner to a clean
soft cloth.
• Rub the area to remove the stain or spot.
• More stubborn spots may require additional cleaning with odorless mineral
spirits, followed by cleaning with Armstrong or Bruce Hardwood & Laminate
Floor Cleaner.
Grease/Lipstick/Crayon/Ink Spots/Rubber Heel Marks
• Apply Armstrong or Bruce Hardwood & Laminate Floor Cleaner to a clean
soft cloth.
• Rub the area to remove the stain or spot.
• If stain remains, rub with a cloth dampened with odorless mineral spirits,
followed by cleaning with Armstrong or Bruce Hardwood & Laminate Floor
Cleaner.
Chewing Gum/Candle Wax
• Apply a sealed plastic bag filled with ice on top of the deposit.
• Wait until deposit becomes brittle enough to crumble off.
• After deposit has been removed, clean entire area with Armstrong or Bruce
Hardwood & Laminate.
Minor Abrasions/Scratches
• Use an Armstrong Touch-Up Kit or Armstrong Acrylic Filler, that blends with
your factory stained floor color to make minor repairs. in smaller areas.
• Apply Armstrong Restore Hardwood Floor Finish or Armstrong Restore Low
Gloss Hardwood Floor Finish to recondition larger areas.
Chips, broken edges and gaps
• Blend area with appropriate Armstrong touch up pen or fill stick from an
Armstrong Touch-Up Kit or the appropriate Armstrong Acrylic Filler.
Deep Scratches/Gouges
• Individual planks, strips or parquets that are heavily gouged or damaged may
be repaired with Armstrong Acrylic Filler or Armstrong Touch-Up Kit. Major
damage will require board replacement..
• If needed, the entire floor can be refurbished by applying one or more coats
of Armstrong Restore Hardwood Floor Finish or Armstrong Restore Low
Gloss Hardwood Floor Finish.
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