Caring for your hardwood

Even if you don’t have a lot of spare time, there are some quick and easy tasks you can perform regularly to protect the look and longevity of your hardwood floors. Simple preventative maintenance will go a long way to keep your hardwood looking as good as new for years to come.

Encourage the removal of outdoor shoes before walking across the floor so dirt isn’t tracked into the house. Prevent scratches produced from dust, dirt and other lingering particles by utilizing entrance mats, rugs and other options in high traffic areas (such as entry ways and mud rooms).

Other preventative measures include avoid wearing your shoes and dragging any furniture across your new floors. Felt stickers are an excellent resource to place on the legs of furniture to help prevent scratches. An area rug is also a great way to protect sections of your hardwood that are exposed to heavier foot traffic.

Every day care and maintenance could include sweeping, vacuuming or dry mopping your hardwood flooring. Don’t use ammonia cleaners or oil soaps to clean wood floors. They will dull the shine and weaken the performance.

Avoid wet mopping, steam cleaning and other methods that involve lots of water. This can cause the wood to expand, resulting in cracks or splinters.

No matter how careful you are or how much you stick to your maintenance routine, life happens. Your hardwood will still likely experience the occasional spill or mess, especially if you have kids or pets.

Spills and messes happen so it’s important to know how to clean these inevitabilities without damaging your floor. While most spills can easily be wiped away, it is important to wipe them up quickly as hardwood is not water resistant. For other more challenging stains such as wax residue or nail polish, consult with the manufacturer’s guidelines before attempting to clean it.

For deeper cleaning, use a manufacturer approved cleaning solution and follow their guidelines.