Tips for Maintaining Hardwood Floors

By: Matt
Posted on: Nov 16, 2011

By Matt Solis, Senior Editor

With today’s advancements in wood flooring stains and finishes, cleaning wood floors has become much less of an arduous process. Regular maintenance requires little more than sweeping with a soft bristle broom and vacuuming with a soft floor attachment (if the floor has a beveled edge that could collect debris). To minimize maintenance and maintain the beauty of your wood floors, consider the following preventive maintenance tips:

  • Don’t use sheet vinyl or tile floor care products on wood floors. Self-polishing acrylic waxes can cause wood to become slippery and appear dull.
  • Use throw rugs inside and outside doorways to help prevent grit, dirt and other debris from being tracked onto your wood floors.
  • Don’t wet-mop a wood floor. Standing water can dull the finish, damage the wood and leave a discoloring residue.
  • Place soft plastic or fabric-faced glides under furniture legs to prevent scuffing and scratching.
  • Avoid walking on your wood floors with cleats, sports shoes and high heels. A 125-pound woman walking in high heels has an impact of 2,000 pounds per square inch. An exposed heel nail can exert up to 8,000 pounds of pressure per square inch.
  • When moving heavy furniture, completely pick it up instead of sliding it on the wood floor.
  • Use a humidifier throughout the winter months to minimize gaps or cracks.

Unlike most floor covering options, wood is very forgiving when it comes to cosmetic damage. Most problems can be prevented with proper maintenance, but renewal and repair is usually possible for more serious issues.

To find a Diamond Certified hardwood floor company in your area, click on one of the links below.

Alameda County: www.diamondcertified.org/alameda-hardwood-floors

Contra Costa County: www.diamondcertified.org/contra-costa-hardwood-floors

Marin County: www.diamondcertified.org/marin-hardwood-floors

Monterey & San Benito Counties: www.diamondcertified.org/monterey-san-benito-hardwood-floors

San Francisco: www.diamondcertified.org/san-francisco-hardwood-floors

Santa Clara County: www.diamondcertified.org/santa-clara-hardwood-floors