Caring for hardwood floors requires a different approach than linoleum or tile. Understanding the care and attention that your hardwood floors need will help you prolong the lifespan of the floor and protect your investment. Here is a look at the basics of hardwood floor care.

Things You Should Do For Your Hardwood Floors

Keep your hardwood floors clean. Sweep them regularly to avoid having dirt grind scratches into the wood surface. Vacuum the floors with a soft bristle attachment periodically as well. You should damp mop them once in a while using a flooring cleaner specifically designed for hardwood floors.

If you spill anything on your hardwood floors, clean it up immediately. Hardwood floors are porous and will absorb spills if you aren't attentive to them. This can damage the wood and alter the overall condition of your floors.

Place rugs and mats in your doorways and high-traffic spaces of the house to try to minimize wear and tear on the wood. This also protects the wood surfaces from dirt and grime that can scratch and dull your floors.

Add felt pads to the feet of any furniture in the house so that anything sliding doesn't scratch the wood. Finally, maintain stable humidity levels in your home with a humidifier for regulation to keep your floors from warping or shrinking. Hardwood floors will fluctuate when humidity levels change, so proactive maintenance of your home's humidity protects from these complications.

Things You Should Avoid With Your Hardwood Floors

Protect your hardwood floors from any excess water or moisture. Keep coolers, wet laundry, and any other standing water away from the wood floor surface. When you mop your floors, do so with a damp mop, not a wet one. And only use cleaners designed for wood floors to reduce water damage.

Keep anything abrasive off your hardwood floors. Don't use any cleaners or chemicals that could scratch and dull the wood. Minimize your high-heel use on your wood floors as well. If you have pets in the house, keep their claws trimmed well so they don't cause damage.

With the right care and maintenance, you can keep those wood floors looking their best for years to come. If they do start showing signs of wear or appear dull, consider working with a hardwood refinishing contractor to restore the finish. Solid hardwood floors can be refinished several times before you need to replace them.

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