Hardwood flooring is not only an attractive addition to a home, it is a wise investment. Hardwood floors are easy to care for, provide years of use, and are highly sought after by home buyers. Learning how to maintain hardwood flooring after it has been installed can make all the difference in your floor's future appearance.
Premature wear
Various environmental factors can cause premature wear to hardwood flooring. Factors such as furniture, shoes, and spills can all lead to premature wearing or marks that can take away from the floor's natural beauty. Many of these factors can be prevented with early intervention.
To prevent scratching, place furniture pads under the legs of all furniture including sofas, chairs, and tables. Explain to family members that shoes should not be worn when indoors and place mats outside of doors for company to wipe their feet. Spills, which can cause warping and staining, should be cleaned up as soon as possible.
Normal wear
Although regular maintenance will cut down on premature wear, hardwood flooring will still receive normal wear, especially in heavy traffic areas. This normal wear can be minimized with the use of protective rugs and by following the manufacturer's instructions on the floor's care. Pet owners should keep their pet's nails trimmed regularly. Normal wear of hardwood flooring can also be limited with regular cleaning.
Cleaning
Hardwood flooring should be swept with a soft sweeper or vacuumed with a light-weight vacuum. A canister vacuum works well for maintaining hardwood flooring. Only mop hardwood flooring with a specially designed product made for wood floors. Petroleum-based floor cleaners should not be used on floors with a water-base finish.
Knowing the finish of your wood floor is important for proper maintenance. Finishing Wood Floors warns that wax should never be used on a urethane floor and "do not over-wax a wax floor." When in doubt, follow the manufacturer's recommendations for cleaning and waxing your hardwood flooring.
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