With that in mind, we'd like to give you some dos and don'ts for maintaining hardwood floors. With a little help from you, your hardwood floor can maintain its beauty and strength for years.
Dos for Maintaining Hardwood Floors
Clean, clean, clean
Sweep and vacuum the floor regularly to keep dirt, dust and debris off the floor. They act like sandpaper when walked on; thus, scratching the wood's surface. Use a broom, microfiber cloth mop or soft cloth for cleaning.
Wipe up spills immediately
You should be expedient with liquid spills and wipe them up as quickly as possible. Water, when left to stand or puddle for an extended period of time, can dull or mark the finish. It can also cause long term damage and warp the planks. It is a good idea to use runners, cloths, pads and coasters to protect against water rings and spills.
Don'ts for Maintaining Hardwood Floors
Wear shoes with sports cleats or high heels
Wood floors are not scratch-resistant. Try not to walk on hardwood floor while wearing shoes with sports cleat or high heels as they can cause permanent indentations. If possible, remove your shoes before entering the house and wear slippers instead.
Use a wet mop
Never use water when mopping wood flooring as it can dull the finish. When the water gets pushed down onto the floor, it causes the finish to bubble up. Occasional damp mopping is allowed as long as you follow it up with a soft, dry cloth.
