How to Maintain Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood floors are often a sought after feature for potential homeowners. These floors have a classic beauty and are quite durable if they are cared for properly. Well made and cared for hardwoods can last for decades if not longer.

Improper care can leave a floor warped, scratched and dull looking. No matter how durable you think wood may be or how strong the finish looks there are many things that can easily damage your flooring. Dirt can act like sandpaper against your floor and improper cleaning can damage the strongest finish.

Proper Cleaning

Though hardwood floors look solid they are can easily be damaged by water and dirt. It is important to keep them clean and dry. You cannot use just any cleaner on hardwoods. Some people use wet mops on hardwoods weekly and this is a big mistake. It is more important to vacuum your floors frequently. If you use a vacuum remember to use a vacuum that does not have a beater bar on it or has one that can be turned off.

Contrary to popular belief oil soaps are not recommended for hardwoods. They can cause build up which in turn causes problems when the floor needs to be refinished and will leave your floors looking dull. If you notice a build up of dirt you should buy a product made specifically for hardwoods and use only as often as recommended by the floor’s manufacturer.

Fading

Sunlight can cause your floors to fade. Having furniture or rug over a section of floor can also cause that area to discolor. You will want to monitor the amount of direct sunlight that falls on your floor and move rugs and furniture around periodically to avoid spot discoloration.

Scuffs and Scrapes

Though these floors are finished it is important to protect them from everyday wear and tear. Keep floor protectors on all furniture and appliances that touch your hardwoods. Use rugs in areas of extremely high traffic to minimize damage and scuffing. It is always a good idea to limit hard heals and high heels on the flooring.

Pets may scratch your flooring with their toenails. Most animals dig into the surface upon which they are walking. Keep your pets nails trimmed to avoid this type of damage.

Accidents

If you spill water on your floor wipe it us as soon as you can. For candle wax or gum you should apply ice and then gently scrap the material from the floor using care not to gouge the wood. Be especially diligent if you spill any sort of chemical material on your floor that may eat through the finish. Wipe up immediately and use a damp cloth to be sure you have removed any trace of the chemical. You should then use a dry cloth to be sure all moisture had been removed from the floor.

Humidity

Though humidity is somewhat out of our control you may want to try to keep the humidity level in your home around 50 percent. Too much moisture will contribute to warping and aging. If the air is too dry you may dry out the wood.

The Finish

If the finish is damaged you may want to refinish the floor. This can be caused by wear and scratches, water sitting on the floor or just age. The floor will need to be sanded down and coated with finish to restore its natural beauty. Unless you are experienced in flooring you may want to rely on a professional to do this for you.