It’s always nice to welcome the monsoon season with great enthusiasm—after all, it means cooler weather will be coming soon. Unfortunately, if your home has wooden furniture and flooring, the monsoon season can also be quite challenging. Monsoon calls for refreshing your home with a coat of new paint or two and getting some new furniture out of storage.
Wooden furniture and flooring put together in the monsoon are more likely to suffer from mold and fungal growth if they get too wet. So if you are getting any crazy ideas about doing a little bit of home maintenance, it’s best to put it on hold until the autumn when the weather is a bit cooler. Instead, let’s get a few basics about the monsoon, wooden furniture, and flooring pat down.
8 Simple Pointers to Help You Take Extensive Care of Your Wooden Flooring and Furniture During the Monsoon
Are you one of those people who keeps humming the Rain, Rain, Go Away nursery rhyme, or are you secretly hoarding the soul of a Bollywood diva inside you who’s just waiting for an opportunity to break out into Tip Tip Barsa Paani? Or do you land somewhere in the middle? Well, whatever rocks your boat, here are some tips to help you keep your furniture and hardwood floors in good condition during the monsoon season.
Keep an Eye on the Edges
Water can seep in through the smallest of cracks and crevices, so make sure to pay special attention to the edges of your wooden furniture and flooring. Inspect them regularly for any sign of damage, and if you spot any, take care of it immediately.
Use a Dry Cloth for Soaking Water
During a deluge, rain won’t show mercy to your exterior wooden flooring and furniture. This can cause the wood to swell, warp, and crack. To avoid this, wipe up any water as soon as the rain lets up with a dry cloth. In addition, try to keep your wooden furniture and flooring out of the rain.
Move Your Wooden Furniture Away from Windows
Would you like it if your wooden furniture lasts you a solid decade and still looks new? Well, who wouldn’t want that? To extend the life of your wooden furniture, the first step is to keep your furniture away from the windows. If possible, move it to the center of the room or against a wall. This will protect it from the wind and rain. You should also cover your furniture with a tarp or plastic sheet to keep it dry. If you have hardwood floors, be sure to sweep and mop them regularly to prevent them from warping.
Seal All Leakage Points
One of the most important things you can do to protect your wooden furniture and flooring during the monsoon is to make sure that all leakage points are sealed. This will help prevent water damage from occurring in the first place. You should check around doors and windows for any gaps or cracks that could allow water in, and seal them with weather-stripping or caulking. You should also make sure that your gutters and downspouts are clear and free of debris so that they can adequately channel water away from your home.
Oil or Wax Your Door and Window Hinges
If you want to keep your wooden furniture and flooring in good shape during the monsoon, it’s important to keep your doors and windows well-oiled or waxed. This will help prevent them from rusting and deteriorating. You can either buy a commercial product or make your own oil (#DIY-time) by mixing equal parts of lemon juice and olive oil. Apply it to the hinges with a cloth or brush, and then wipe away any excess.
Say Goodbye to Carpet and Rugs (Only During the Monsoon Season)
Carpets and rugs can absorb a lot of water, which can lead to mold and mildew growth. Plus, they’re harder to clean and dry than hardwood floors. So, it’s best to remove them during the monsoon season. If you don’t have any spare flooring or mats to use as protection, then lay a tarp or plastic sheet down first.
It will also protect your furniture from getting scratched. Once you’ve removed all carpet and rugs, give your floor a good cleaning with soap and water, using an old toothbrush if necessary for stubborn stains like ink. Basically, just channel all your inner rage and let it all out while scrubbing your floors. Nothing spells Zen more than cleansing your soul of any lingering rage you might be harboring. Or we could be wrong, and you just need to access your inner Monica.
Make Sure Your Wooden Floors are Ventilated
As the monsoon season sets in, it’s important to make sure that your wooden floors have proper ventilation so that they can dry quickly to avoid warping. If you have a balcony or terrace, open up the doors and windows to let in the fresh air (when it’s not raining, of course). You can also use a fan to circulate the air. If your floors are carpeted, be sure to vacuum regularly to prevent mildew and mold from taking hold.
Make Your Wooden Furniture Shine With Lacquer Finish Coats
Applying a lacquer finish coat is one of the best ways to protect your wooden furniture from the ruins of the monsoon. Lacquer finish coats provide a barrier against moisture and humidity, helping protect your furniture against warping or cracking. Plus, they give your furniture a beautiful shine that will make it look new for years to come. And last we heard, dazzling your guests is still in vogue.
We have gone through a few simple pointers to help you save the day once the monsoon arrives. But what if you just want a few quick tips? Is that even possible? Well, yes. So, do we have something for you? Absolutely!
5 Tips to Help You Take Care of Your Wooden Floors During the Monsoon Season in a Jiffy
We know that monsoon makes you want to curl up with a nice book, a cuppa of tea/hot chocolate, and get lost for some time. You can still do all that after you tick a few items off your checklist. It won’t take much time, we promise.
- First, make sure to sweep and mop your floors regularly to prevent dirt and mud from being ground into the wood.
- Second, avoid walking on wet floors as much as possible to prevent water damage. Cue the book reading session where you actually fall asleep (hey, we don’t judge. We’re your own version of the non-judging breakfast club).
- Third, if you have outdoor furniture, make sure to bring it inside or cover it with a tarp during heavy rains.
- Fourth, if you do get water damage, dry the area immediately and apply a sealant to prevent further damage.
- Fifth, if your furniture gets wet, wipe it down with a dry cloth and allow it to air dry completely before using it again.
That’s it! You can get back to your lazy day now without the black cloud of doubt and worry following you around.
Conclusion
Monsoon season is here, and with it comes a lot of rain. But you can still keep your wooden furniture and flooring looking beautiful. Don’t let the monsoon make a mess of your wooden furniture and flooring. Follow these tips to keep your floors safe, dry, and ready for guests.
Whether you’re looking to protect your wooden furniture and flooring from the damage of monsoon rains, or just want to get ready for a rainy season that’s sure to come, these tips will help you keep your home safe. But if your furniture needs serious upgrades, buy your next piece of furniture only from Pepperfry. Choose from a wide array of wooden flooring and furniture options to spoil you for choices.
