How to Clean and Maintain Your Hardwood Floor

Hardwood floors are an investment for your home and now that you have selected the perfect floor for your space, you want to make sure you can protect it. You want that new floor feeling to last as long as possible. You want to know that you are doing the right thing to maintain and preserve your investment.

Cleaning

Regular cleaning of your floor is actually one of the best things you can do for it. Walking on dust and debris can actually act like sand paper causing accelerated wear and tear on you floor. We recommend the following:

Sweep and vacuum regularly 

 to keep the floor free of excess debris. When using a vacuum, make sure to turn off the rotating brush or beater bar to prevent scratches to your floor.

Don’t use steam mops . 

Steam mops use a lot of heat and lots of water to clean. Neither of those things are good for your hardwood floor. The heat can damage your finish and excess moisture can lead to cupping and warping of the planks.

Use recommended hardwood flooring cleaner.

Hardwood flooring cleaners are designed to give you the maximum bang for your buck without causing a build up or using chemicals that can damage your finish and potentially void your warranty. Use a floor cleaning kit for Hardwood, Luxury Vinyl, and Rigid Core Waterproof flooring.

Don’t use cleaners designed for other surfaces.

Furniture polish, waxes and oil soaps will build up on your floor and trap dirt and debris. Ammonia or vinegar and water solutions will break down the finish on your floor.

In addition to cleaning your floor properly, there are a few extra precautions you can do to extend the life of your floor and preserve its value for years to come. Here are a few tips to keep your floor looking its best.

Use furniture pads.

Placing felt pads or glides on the legs of furniture can help prevent indentations, scratches, and gouges in your floor. This is especially important on heavy items or furniture that is frequently moved like chairs or stools.

Keep pets’ nails trimmed. 

 We all love our pets, and for good reason. However, pets’ nails can damage your floors. Keeping them well trimmed will not only preserve the life of your floor, but can keep your pet happy as well.

Use mats and rug pads. 

 Placing mats at entrances is an easy way to lessen dirt and debris from coming into your space. If you choose a rug, we recommend using a felt pad to protect the finish of your floor. Rubber and latex rug pads may discolor the floor.

Maintain the temperature.

Most floors last longer and perform better in the sweet spot range between 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit with relative humidity between 30 and 50%. Closing blinds or curtains to avoid direct sunlight can help mitigate discoloration, expansion, contraction, and buckling.

Routine cleaning and proper maintenance are the keys to adding years of enjoyment of your floors.