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The large diagonal squares known as parquet de Versailles were introduced there in 1684, as parquet de menuiserie  ("woodwork parquet"), to replace the marble flooring that required constant washing, which tended to rot the joists beneath the floors. Such parquets en lozange were noted by the Swedish architect Daniel Cronström at Versailles and at the Grand Trianon in 1693.

Timber contrasting in color and grain, such as oak, walnut, cherry, lime, pine, maple etc. are sometimes employed; and in the more expensive kinds the richly coloured mahogany and sometimes other tropical hardwoods are also used. While not technically a wood, bamboo is also a popular material for modern floors.

Parquet floors were formerly usually adhered with hot bitumen. Today modern cold adhesives are usually used.

Wood floors may be brushed clean, and mopped when necessary. Upright vacuum cleaners can scratch and wear the surface, as grit particles become embedded in the spinning brushes.

I.          Cleaning Parquet Floor (by Isabel Rodrigues)

II.         How to Clean a Parquet Floor

III.       A Look At Cleaning Parquet Floor Type

IV.        Cleaning of Parquet

V.          Care and Cleaning Tips for Parquet Flooring

I. Cleaning Parquet Floor

What is parquet flooring? Parquet flooring is a type of flooring created from strips or blocks of wood that form a pattern. So, when cleaning a parquet floors you would use the same process as cleaning hardwood floors.

As with hardwood floors, the best method for care is to provide preventative maintenance. There are several things you can do to assist you in making the cleaning process easier. Parquet or wood floors should be swept often. Dirt, sand and outside debris can easily scratch any type of wood flooring. Keeping the debris off of your wood floors is one of the best ways to maintain the newness to your parquet floors.

Along with daily sweeping or dry dust mopping you will want to use carpet rugs to trap the dirt and debris. Placing carpet rugs at all entrances to your home will assist in trapping debris as it is brought in on shoes. It is important that you also vacuum the carpet rugs to pull out the dirt and debris as often as possible. Placing carpet rugs in high traffic or high use areas around your home will also help in protecting your parquet flooring.

Unlike laminates your parquet floors do not come with the added finish coating. It is up to you to provide that shiny surface. An easy way to do that is to use a cleaner and polisher in one. Using a cleaning product that combines cleaning and polishing in one, cuts the job in half. This allows you more time to admire your beautiful parquet floors, than cleaning them.

It is important to use the proper instrument when cleaning and polishing your parquet floor. It is recommended that you use an instrument with a flat surface, and a soft cloth or terry cloth. This cloth makes shining your wood floors easy as can be.

It is important that you not use water to clean your parquet floors. These floors are wood, and water will damage them. It is also important to clean up any water as soon as it is spilled. Never use any products that contain wax on your parquet floors. Remember they are wood floors and should be treated like all other wood floors. It is also important that you take steps in protecting your parquet floors. You should not wear high heals on a parquet floor as they could dent them. It is also important that your pet's nails are kept clipped so they do not scratch the wood. Never drag furniture across a wood floor, either lift the furniture, or place a small carpet rug under the legs to slide the furniture across the floor. It is also recommended to place wood protector covers under the legs of all furniture.

Taking care of your parquet floors can and will be an easy project as long as you provide preventative maintenance and a cleaning routine that is consistent.

Author Vincent Platania represents the Fuller Brush Company.

Fuller Brush has been in business since 1906, and offers safe, environmentally friendly products for keeping your home and your body clean. (written by Isabel Rodrigues;articlealley.com)

II. How to Clean a Parquet Floor

Parquet is one of the most popular and widely used flooring materials in homes today. They come in a variety of colors and styles. Parquet is a durable material and is a good investment for a long lasting floor. This article provides an easy cleaning and maintenance plan for your parquet floor.

Instructions:

a)      Regularly sweep your parquet floor to avoid dust build up. Use a vacuum cleaner to remove dirt and proceed by using a clean damp mop which has been thoroughly wrung out. Do not use abrasive detergents including chlorine based liquids and vinegar solution to clean parquet.

b)      Mop away any liquid spills on the parquet flooring as it can seep through. Apply a non toxic cleaner or no-rinse cleaning product when cleaning. Select a product that is safe for parquet floors and follow the manufacturer's guidelines.

c)      Remove dark spots on the floor by using a spirit based solvent. Use caution because it is flammable. Another option is to white vinegar to the affected area and leave it for three to four minutes before cleaning with a soft dry cloth.

d)      Use a floor polish occasionally that is designed for parquet to bring back the shine lost by the constant usage. Apply a water based acrylic wax to the floor which does not require buffing and let dry.

e)      Place colorfast rugs and mats on all the entrances leading to the parquet floor to help collect dust and debris. Vaccum and shake them regularly to help keep your floors clean. (Full text: ehow.com)

III. A Look At Cleaning Parquet Floor Type

Parquet flooring is a type of flooring created from strips or blocks of wood that form a pattern. So, when cleaning parquet floors you would use the same process as cleaning hardwood floors. As with hardwood floors, the best method for care is to provide preventative maintenance. There are several things you can do to assist you in making the cleaning process easier. Parquet or wood floors should be swept often. Dirt, sand and outside debris can easily scratch any type of wood flooring. Keeping the debris off of your wood floors is one of the best ways to maintain the newness to your parquet floors. Along with daily sweeping or dry dust mopping you will want to use carpet rugs to trap the dirt and debris. Placing carpet rugs at all entrances to your home will assist in trapping debris as it is brought in on shoes. It is important that you also vacuum the carpet rugs to pull out the dirt and debris as often as possible. Placing carpet rugs in high traffic or high use areas around your home will also help in protecting your parquet flooring. Unlike laminates your parquet floors do not come with the added finish coating. It is up to you to provide that shiny surface. An easy way to do that is to use a cleaner and polisher in one. Using a cleaning product that combines cleaning and polishing in one, cut the job in half. This allows you more time to admire your beautiful parquet floors, than cleaning them. It is important to use the proper instrument when cleaning and polishing your parquet floor. It is recommended that you use an instrument with a flat surface, and a soft cloth or terrycloth. This cloth make shining your wood floors easy as can be. It is important that you not use water to clean your parquet floors. These floors are wood, and water will damage them. It is also important to clean up any water as soon as it is spilled. Never use any products that contain wax on your parquet floors. Remember they are wood floors and should be treated like all other wood floors. It is also important that you take steps in protecting your parquet floors. You should not wear high heals on a parquet floor as they could dent them. It is also important that your pets nails are kept clipped so they do not scratch the wood. Never drag furniture across a wood floor, either lift the furniture, or place a small carpet rug under the legs to slide the furniture across the floor. It is also recommended to place wood protector covers under the legs of all furniture. Taking care of your parquet floors can and will be an easy project as long as you provide preventative maintenance and a cleaning routine that is consistent. (Full text: articlesnatch.com; written by Pawan100)

IV. Cleaning of Parquet

Cleaning of Polyurethane Floor

For spills on polyurethane floor, use a non-abrasive liquid cleaner and soft cloth . Shoe marks and scuffs can be removed by applying a liquid cleaner to the spot.

Cleaning of Shellacked, Lacquered or Varnished Floor

Clean-up jobs on shellacked, lacquered or varnished floors require a special paste wax. Simply rub the scuff or mark with the paste wax then allow it to dry. Buff the area with a clean, soft cloth.

Dark spots on wood floors are often caused by exposure to alkaline substances, which were allowed to dry on the floor. To get rid of these spots: remove solvent based wax with mineral spirits; this is a flammable solvent so be very careful; have adequate ventilation, and be sure there is no spark or flame in the area. Apply white vinegar to spots and leave it there for three of four minutes; and wipe dry with a clean cloth. Repeat this procedure, if necessary.

If several applications of vinegar do not remove the spot, you should consider calling in a professional floor finisher. Scratches and small worn areas on wood floors can often be concealed by applying a small amount of wax with very fine steel wool to the floor. Apply the wax in the direction of the wood grain wherever possible and rub it in gently until the color blends with the floor. Wipe off any excess, then polish the area with a clean, dry cloth. Wax, alone, will work well for light to medium-colored floors.

Stain Removal

The following tips are provided to help you treat common stains which could affect your timber floor. As with other surfaces, the quicker you tackle a stain on your floor, the easier it is to remove. After removing the stain, wipe the floor using clean water and a damp cloth.

Fruit juice, milk, cream, tea, lemonade, beer, wine, coffee

> Clean with Soap based cleaner (neutral soap)

Chocolate, grease, oil, shoe polish, scuff marks, tar

> Clean with White spirits

Printing and other ink, lipstick

> Clean with Alcohol

Blood

> Clean with Cold Water

Note: If required, specialty timber floor cleaner is available from The Parquet House. These timber floor cleaning products which when used to the manufacturers' recommendations, produces excellent results. (Full text: theparquethouse.com)

V. Care and Cleaning Tips for Parquet Flooring

In the past parquet flooring was made from strips of wood fixed into square blocks. This type of parquet floor was extremely sensitive to moisture and usually bulged when exposed to moist conditions. However, today

 parquet floors are more resistant to moisture as they are made from ply or a hardwood that is given a laminated finish. Infact today parquet flooring is even being installed at basement level. The care and cleaning tips for parquet floors is discussed here.

The advantage of parquet flooring is that it offers a wide variety of design options for the home owner. There are several types of parquet including laminate, multilayer, bamboo parquet, solid parquet, lamparquet, mosaic and others. It is made from beech, cork, maple, cherry tree, oak classics and the darkwood varieties. As with other types of wood flooring the best method of taking care of parquet is preventive maintenance.

Parquet floors should be kept dust free by sweeping them often. This is because particles of sand, dirt and debris entering from outside may scratch the surface. Thus the best way to maintain parquet is to keep it free from dust and dirt. In addition to sweeping and/or dry mopping daily it is advisable to place carpet rugs at the entrances to trap and keep the dirt out. They should also be kept in high traffic and high use areas. These rugs should be kept clean by vacuuming often.

You must avoid using pointed heels on parquet flooring to avoid denting the surface. When moving furniture avoid dragging them on the floor. They should either be lifted and moved or should be moved with carpet rugs under them and slid over the floor carefully. For better protection use wood protector covers under the furniture legs. In order to provide additional protection to your parquet floor you can use a cleaner-cum-polisher. As the name suggests it will clean and polish at the same time. This will bring cleaning down requirements and provide adequate protection.

To prevent pets from scratching the surface their nails must be clipped regularly. Avoid using water for cleaning parquet floors and clean up water immediately if it spills on the floor. The same goes for spilling of beverages. Proper instruments with flat surface should be used for cleaning such floors along with soft and terry cloth. Cleaning regularly with cloth keeps the floor shining.

Parquet flooring is easy to maintain. If the surface starts to show signs of wear then a little light sanding and resealing with varnish returns it to its original condition. In parquet the wood grain of one block lies at 90 degrees to the next. Thus sanding of parquet needs patience as using too much force can damage the grain. Although big drum sanders or big orbital sanders can be used to accomplish the job of sanding fast, they can result in over sanding at spots unless used carefully.

For non professional sanding work hand held orbital sanders are good although they may take a little more time to finish the job. They produce less dust and are thus more convenient. Some also come with dust bags like vacuum cleaners. It is advisable to use sand paper of decreasing grit size, starting with coarser and finishing with the fine. Start with 20 or 60 grit size and finish with 120 for a very smooth surface. Finally after the sanding is over give three layers of polyurethane coating for a new shining finish. These care and cleaning tips should help you to keep your parquet flooring in good condition and increase its life. (Full text: associatedcontent.com)