Hardwood flooring is a major investment and requires dutiful care and maintenance to prolong its lifespan and continued enjoyment. Although hardwood flooring is considered to be a rather versatile floor material, it is important that you are aware of the general do’s and don’ts of having wood floors in your home. No matter what you do, your wood floor will age over time, however there are numerous steps you can take to protect your wood flooring and keep it in pristine condition.
The Do’s: Suggestions to Keep Your Wood Flooring Looking Like New
A great first step to ensuring the longevity of your wood flooring is to work with a professional to select the appropriate type of hardwood for your specific space and expected level of traffic so that it can stand up to the anticipated wear and tear. Once you’ve installed wood flooring you should then make sure to follow the wood flooring care suggestions from the manufacturer. In addition, here are some more tips and tricks to your keep your wood floors looking like new for years to come.
- Use the proper cleaners and tools as recommended by your wood flooring professional to maintain the protective finish of your floors.
- Clean your wood floors regularly! As dirt and debris accumulates it can scratch and dull your wood floors.
- Place pads on the bottom of any furniture that is used regularly such as chairs, end tables and couches to reduce friction and scratching.
- Trim your pets’ nails and clean the pads of their feet after walks to remove sand and dirt from getting tracked in the home and dulling your hardwood floors over time.
- Close your drapes to minimize the amount of light and sun that is in direct contact with your wood floors to reduce fading and discoloration.
- Rearrange your furniture every so often to give equal exposure to all areas of your flooring. If don’t, permanent markings, such as the location of a rug, will show when you eventually change or move pieces of furniture in the future.
- Use a humidifier in the winter to minimize wood shrinkage and expansion as the seasons change.
- Use rugs in higher traffic spaces to ensure even wear on all areas of your wood flooring.
The Don’ts: Stop Treating Your Wood Flooring Like This!
- Never drag your furniture across your wood floor as this can cause deep scratching that may be difficult to repair.
- Never use cleaning fluids, chemicals, tools or abrasives on your wood floor that were not specifically created to help maintain the health of your wood flooring. Improper cleaning materials may permanently damage the finish of your floors by diminishing the sheen or even etching the wood. Even a vacuum with a beater bar can cause blemishes.
- Try not to leave any mess on your floors for an extended length of time. If not cleaned quickly, messy kitchen spills can stain, warp or scratch the finish of your wood floors.
- Do not allow your wood floor to be exposed to excessive moisture! Spills and cleaning fluids should be wiped up as quickly as possible to avoid long-term damage.
- Restrict the installation of wood flooring within your home. Wood floors do not belong in basements or bathrooms where they may be subject to flooding. In addition, wood floors should not be installed in non-environmentally controlled homes or areas of the home.
Have a specific question about the care of your wood flooring? Don’t hesitate to reach out to our Chicago suburbs wood flooring experts for future maintenance guidance.
