Care for Hardwood Floors

Taking proper care of hardwood floors is essential if you want them to last a long time. Routine cleaning is the key to protecting and maintaining your floor’s appearance. Particular cleaning protocols need to be followed to prevent damage to the floor’s surface. Aside from regular cleaning, damage can be minimized by observing a few maintenance and prevention measures. The longevity and durability of your hardwood floors can be preserved with routine cleaning and proper maintenance.

Steps

Cleaning Hardwood Floors

1. Dust every day with a microfiber mop or cloth. Microfiber cloths trap dirt, particles, pet hair and other household allergens with static electricity. Microfiber mop pads are more effective than sweeping with a broom. They’re also safer, since some broom bristles can scratch the floor's surface.
   • When dusting with a microfiber mop, lift it off the floor as little as possible so that the dirt stays securely trapped on the pad.
   • Daily dusting is your best line of defensive against scratches and surface damage.
2. Vacuum every week with a soft-bristled floor-brush attachment. Dust the floor with the microfiber mop before you begin. If you leave a lot of debris on the floor when you vacuum, this can scratch the floor’s surface. After using the microfiber pad, carefully vacuum the floor using a floor-brush attachment.
   • Use caution when vacuuming hardwood floors. Keep an eye on the vacuum’s wheels, which can damage the surface if you aren’t careful.
   • Never use a vacuum with a beater bar attachment, since this can scratch the finish on the floor.
3. Damp-mop once per month with a hardwood floor cleaner. Use a damp flat mop with a microfiber head. Do not dampen it with water. Instead, mist the mop head lightly with a cleaner made specifically for hardwood. Use the minimum amount of cleaner required to get the floor clean.
   • If your floor has protective sealant on the surface, check the manufacturer's recommendations before using a cleaning product.
   • Never wet-mop or steam mop a hardwood floor. Both can dull the finish and damage the wood.

Maintaining Hardwood Floors

1. Follow a regular cleaning routine. Regular cleaning is the most effective thing you can do to keep your hardwood floors looking great and damage-free. Create a cleaning routine and stick to it. For best results, dust every day with a micro-fiber cloth. Vacuum biweekly with a soft-bristled floor-brush attachment. Damp-mop once per month with a hardwood floor cleaner.
2. Polish your floor every two to three months if it has a surface finish. Most hardwood floors have polyurethane surface finishes. These finishes seal and protect the wood underneath and give your floor a glossy shine. Normal wear and tear will eventually leave visible scratches and make the surface dull. Polishing periodically can renew and refresh its appearance by restoring shine, buffing away microscopic scratches and evening out the floor’s surface.
   • Check the manufacturer's recommendations for polishing products and follow the instructions exactly.
   • Never use wax on a floor with a urethane or other glossy finish.
3. Use window coverings to protect your floors from heat and UV rays. Direct sunlight can discolor hardwood. Use protective window coverings, such as curtains and blinds, to block UV rays and protect the wood from excessive heat. If left uncovered and exposed to direct sunlight, most wood types will gradually begin to age and fade. Rearrange rugs and furniture regularly so the wood’s appearance will age evenly.
4. Refinish the surface every three to five years. If your floor has a polyurethane surface finish, it will need a maintenance coat reapplied every few years. When routine cleaning no longer restores the floor’s shine, it's time to recoat the surface. How often you need to do this depends on the amount of foot traffic you have in your home. Unless you’ve done it before, you will probably need to contact a professional to refinish your floor’s surface.
   • If your floor surface has deep scratches, visible gouges, discoloration and other significant damage, consider sanding your floor and then refinishing it. Unless you have experience, contact a professional for this.

Preventing Floor Damage

1. Clean up spills immediately to prevent permanent stains. When liquid of any kind is allowed to pool on your floor, damage can occur. Try to get to spills as soon as they happen. Use a dampened cloth for sticky spills, but dry the spot immediately afterwards with a microfiber pad.
   • Never use ammonia or regular household cleaning products to clean up a spill. These will damage the floor’s surface.
   • Avoid using water and vinegar to clean with, as well.
2. Put down protective rugs and mats. Mats can drastically reduce the amount of dirt and debris that gets on your floor. Position them inside and outside your home’s exterior doors. Encourage visitors and family members to wipe their feet on them. Place additional mats in other high-traffic areas, such as in front of the kitchen sink and down frequently used hallways. A floor mat should also be placed in any area where water might be splashed, like by the kitchen sink.
   • Be sure to use floor mats that are made specifically for hardwood floors. Other types of mats, such as rubber-backed and non-ventilated mats, can trap moisture and debris underneath, causing surface damage to the floor.
   • Shake the mats out regularly to prevent debris build-up.
3. Protect the floor from furniture damage. The legs of furniture can leave behind significant scuffs and scratches on your floor’s surface. Place stick-on felt protectors under the legs of your furniture and keep them on at all times. These felt protectors get dirty quickly, so replace them often. If you don't, the debris embedded in the felt may scratch your floor.
   • Never drag a piece of furniture across a hardwood floor.
4. Avoid walking across the floor in high heeled shoes. A strict no-shoes policy isn’t necessary to protect your hardwood floor, but high heeled shoes in particular can leave behind dents, scratches and scuffs. Try to avoid wearing them when you have to walk on the floors. Consider keeping a pair of slippers or socks near the entryway so you can easily remove your heels at the door.
5. Keep nails and claws Clip-Dog-Nails. Unfortunately, your pet’s claws can easily scratch the surface of your floor. Trim their claws on a regular basis to prevent this. If you are unable to trim the claws yourself, bring your pet to a professional groomer. Pay attention to your pet’s paws, as well. Pets often track in debris and other substances that can stain and scratch your floor. Keep your pet’s paw pads as clean as possible.

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