We always hear that wooden floors are afraid of water—can they really not touch a single drop? Actually, they’re not that "delicate"; it all depends on how much water they get and how you handle it. Understand these four points, and you’ll be calm when mopping or wiping up water～
I. It’s Not "No Water at All"—A Little Water Is Fine If Wiped Promptly
Wooden floors aren’t that fragile! For example, if you spill a few drops of water while wiping the table, or use a half-dry mop when mopping, as long as you wipe it dry immediately and the water doesn’t seep into the gaps, there’s no problem. It’s like splashing a little water on your skin—wipe it dry and nothing happens! But if you let water soak the floor for a long time, that’s a real problem, so keep that in mind!
II. How to Handle a Little Water? Two Steps: "Wipe Fast + Absorb Dry"
Don’t panic if you accidentally spill water! Step 1: First, use dry paper towels or an absorbent cloth to soak up the surface water (don’t wipe back and forth, otherwise the water will seep into the gaps); Step 2: Then wipe the floor along the wood grain with a dry cloth, focusing on the gaps to ensure no residual moisture. The whole process is super simple and takes only 1 minute—no need to worry about damaging the floor at all～
III. A Lot of Water Is a No-No! Soaking It Will Cause "Deformation and Swelling"
If you don’t wipe up spilled water in time, or if a water pipe leaks and soaks the floor, trouble comes! Water will seep into the gaps and base material of the wooden floor, causing the floor to expand, curl up at the edges, or even mold and turn black. Just like bread becomes soft and deformed when soaked in water, wooden floors will "swell" when they absorb enough water. Repairing them later is expensive and time-consuming, so a lot of water must be avoided!
IV. Daily Waterproof Tips to Keep the Floor from "Getting Hurt"
Pay attention to these points in daily life to reduce trouble from water on wooden floors: Use a "half-dry mop" when mopping (wring it until no water drips out), and open windows for ventilation immediately after mopping; Place an absorbent doormat at the door so people can wipe water off their shoes when it rains; Install a water barrier strip at the floor near the balcony or bathroom door to prevent accumulated water from seeping over. These small actions are super simple, but they can make the wooden floor last longer～
