Unlike carpeted or resilient floors that show age regardless of care, wood floors can be kept looking like new, year after year, with minimum care. Here are some general tips to help keep your hardwood floor looking fresh.
Enemy number one:
Water Regardless of its finish, your floor will quickly lose its luster if exposed to water. More serious damage is also possible, including warping.
Do
-Wipe up any spills immediately with a soft, dry cloth, starting at the edges of the spill and working your way toward the center.
Don’t
-Let water stand on your floor or use a wet cloth for clean-up.
-Don’t mop sealed and waxed floors, not even with a slightly damp mop.
Banish dirt, dust and grit
Tracking dirt, dust and grit on your floor can dull its finish and cause scratches that can only be repaired by refinishing.
Do
-Sweep your floors regularly. Invest in a good broom that features exploded tips to trap dust and dirt, not simply spread it around. Dust mops can also be helpful.
-Vacuum frequently, using a canister vacuum with special hardwood floor attachments.
- Use doormats at the entrances of your home to help trap dirt and grit. Clean them regularly.
Don’t
-Use an upright vacuum with beater bars. They can cause dents in your floor’s finish.
-Use any dust treatment unless it’s approved by your floor’s manufacturer. The wrong treatment can make your floor dull and cause problems the next time you refinish.
Area Rugs
Do
-Use area rugs or small sections of carpet placed inside doorways and in areas where spills are likely to occur, like kitchens.
- Move your area carpets or throw rugs occasionally to maintain a uniform appearance in the floor’s finish.
Don’t
-Use throw rugs with rubber or vinyl backing without determining if they’ll affect your floor’s finish. Some materials in the backing can react with certain floor finishes, causing the finish to discolor or become dull.
-Let damp rugs sit on the floor. Check the rugs frequently and make sure damp rugs are removed.
Sunlight
The ultraviolet radiation in sunlight can cause discoloration over time. Protect your floors by using sheer drapes, curtains or blinds to limit sunlight.
Furniture
Do
-Place glides made of felt or similar fabric under the legs of furniture to prevent scratches. Clean the glides regularly to ensure dust and grit don’t become imbedded.
-Use barrel-type casters instead of ball casters to prevent dents.
-Use non-marking rubber casters instead of plastic or metal.
-When moving furniture, lift it to avoid making scratches in the floor’s surface.
Shoes
Do
-Make sure there are no exposed nails or metal heel supports on shoes that could scratch or dent the floor.
-Check shoes with soles that have deep treads to ensure any trapped dirt or gravel won’t scratch or dent the floor.
-Be aware that high heels can dent a hardwood floor.
