Preventative Maintenance
These are the steps you can take to reduce the amount of cleaning necessary and protect your floors from damage.
- Protective door mats & rugs at entryways to collect dirt, sand, grit & other debris that gets tracked into your home.
- Floor protectors on furniture legs minimize scratches & dents
- Maintain a relative humidity level using a dehumidifier as recommended by your floor’s manufacturer to minimize the expansion & contraction of the wood.
- Keep pet nails trim to prevent scratching.
- Avoid walking on your floors with pointed heels or cleats.
- Periodically rearrange the layout of furniture & rugs for even exposure to UV rays. Reduce UV exposure by drawing curtains, shades or blinds on windows.
Routine Hardwood Flooring Care
Establish a regular cleaning routine for your hardwood floors with the following simple steps:
- Sweep, dust or vacuum at least weekly. If you do vacuum, be sure to use hard surface attachments and settings, and to detach the beater bar.
- For dirt that won’t budge with a simple dusting, you can use a lightly dampened cloth or mop.
- Soak up liquid spills immediately with a clean, damp cloth.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Never use oil, wax, polish, ammonia or other abrasive cleaners on hardwood
- Never use steel wool or scouring powder
- Never wash or mop hardwood with water, as this can cause warping & swelling
- Never buff or polish your floors
