Making Your Hardwood Floor Last: Caring for Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood Floor Maintenance is Easier Than You Think
You have done the choosing, the shopping, and the installing. Now comes the next part: caring for hardwood flooring. In all honesty, homeowners who own hardwood flooring will tell you it's not a very difficult job cleaning their floors. In fact, it's one of the reasons why they decided on hardwood flooring.

Proper Care for Hardwood Flooring

Upon Installation. Caring for hardwood flooring actually starts during installation. One must know how to prep the floor properly in order to get it in the best installment condition. This may include letting the boards acclimate in the room and making sure that subfloors are level.

You may also choose to apply a protective finish on your hardwood flooring if it has not been done at the factory. After installation, it is best to sweep and dry mop the hardwood flooring in order to rid it of dust and other grit that may have gotten to the surface.

Proper Cleaning. Sweeping and mopping are also the best methods you can employ to keep the surface of your hardwood floor free from dirt, dust, and grit that may have been tracked from outside. More stubborn dirt can be cleaned using a damp mop or rag. Be careful not to overwet the floor because it can severely damage it. In that same vein, take care to give prompt attention to spills, to wipe them immediately.

As for floor cleaners, it is best to go for ones that have a neutral pH so as to prevent damage. If you're not sure which floor cleaner to buy, consult with a trusted retailer or ask about the manufacturer's recommendations. Surely they know how to best take care of their product.

Hardwood Flooring and Furniture. Heavy furniture may pose a threat to your hardwood floor, causing scratches that may mar the surface. Moving heavy furniture across the room by dragging them will more than likely cause scratches. The best way to deal with this is to lift furniture rather than dragging them. Felt pads placed at the bottom of chair and table legs ensure that these surfaces do not gouge or scratch the hardwood floor surface.