Gracewood Design’s floorcloths are made using the best materials available. The labor intensive construction process ensures maximum durability. (More details below the illustration.)

Materials and Construction

Materials
We start with an industrial grade canvas (#8 or #10 cotton duck, depending on floorcloth size) which is primed, front and back, sanded, and the top side is re-coated with gesso. Following a cure period and a second sanding, four or five coats of superior quality Benjamin Moore 100% acrylic paint are applied; sanding is done between coats.

Depending on the design, the stencil process can require extensive layout planning to ensure the borders flow naturally around corners and that motif placement is spatially pleasing. The design is hand-applied using a superior grade acrylic gouache or Benjamin Moore paint, which will not fade due to age or sun exposure. Four or five layers of polyurethane are applied on top of the design. All paint products used are water-based and non-toxic.

*We like to apply a layer of hard paste wax as the final finish. Waxing makes the floorcloth easier to clean, and protects the polyurethane layers, however, it does present a slippery surface to frictionless footwear such as socks. Waxing is optional.

Our floorcloths have a two inch mitered hem and are backed with either a combination of carpet padding and vinyl fabric or cork. For the first option, we put a thin layer of carpet padding in the cove created by the hem and then cover the padding with vinyl fabric that is adhered to the hem. The cork option uses a cork sheet of the same thickness as the treated canvas which is fitted perfectly into the cove created by the hem. Both options prevent the floorcloth from sliding, offer a nice cushion effect under your feet and extend the durability of the floorcloth. The vinyl option is virtually waterproof, while the cork option is “green”.

Application
Floorcloths protect hardwood floors, providing a soft standing surface and a lovely decorative accent to any room. Floorcloths are hypo allergenic and provide a smooth, easily cleaned surface which makes them ideal for placement under the dining room table, in front of the kitchen sink or stove, in an entryway and anywhere else that could benefit from a unique accent rug. Floorcloths can also be used as wall hangings and as table coverings, protecting table surfaces and acting as a replacement for place mats or table cloths.

Floorcloths are an excellent choice for business environments as well.

Durability
Gracewood Design’s floorcloths are made to last for decades when properly cared for. Our material choices and construction processes are based on ensuring maximum durability. We endeavor to make each floorcloth a work of art and family heirloom.

Floorcloth Operating Instructions

Unwrapping
Prior to shipping, floorcloths are rolled and secured around a hard cardboard tube. The floorcloth is wrapped in protective paper, and boxed for shipping. Upon receiving your floorcloth remove the outer packing materials, but let the floorcloth warm to room temperature for a few hours before unfurling it from the tube. The floorcloth should then be set on the floor and allowed to flatten out naturally. If after 24 hours your floorcloth is not completely flat, weigh it down with an even weight for a few hours.

Placement
Floorcloths are best suited for hard surface floors such as wood, concrete, linoleum or tile. Floorcloths should not be placed on carpets as surface damage may develop over time due to the weight of foot traffic and furniture on the relatively soft carpet base.

Be sure that the area that the floorcloth will be placed on is free of debris of any kind and does not have any surface lumps. The greatest enemies to floorcloths are surface irregularities underneath them that can cause damage over time due to uneven pressure.

If your floorcloth is going underneath furniture, make sure that the bases of all furniture legs or other support have felt floor protectors applied to them to prevent surface scratches.

Cleaning and Maintenance
Floorcloths should be cleaned regularly to prevent dirt build up and surface abrasion. The floorcloth can be swept or vacuumed and then washed with a non abrasive cleanser using a sponge or mop. For tough stains, gently use a plastic green scrubby pad. Several times a year after cleaning your floorcloth you may want to apply a paste wax — we use Butcher’s Bowling Alley Wax — to further protect the floorcloth’s surface. Please note, waxing can produce a slippery surface if wearing frictionless footwear such as socks. Waxing is optional.

Moving from place to place
If your floorcloth is too large to be easily carried without bending, roll it on a tube with a minimum six inch diameter, with a person carrying each end of the tube. The floorcloth should be rolled, paint side out, and unrolled such that the top side of the floorcloth is facing up.

Storing
It is best to store floorcloths flat. If this is not practical, they can be rolled, paint side out, on a plastic or cardboard tube with a six inch or larger diameter. They can be secured with painter’s tape, or first wrapped in paper to protect the outer surface.