Maintaining Your Wood Floors
Wood flooring is a long-term investment. With proper care and maintenance your floors can last a lifetime.
IMPROPER CARE:
Water – Can break down finish and damage wood
All Purpose Cleaners – Can break down or strip finish
Vinegar – Will break down and damage finishes
Steam Cleaning Mops – Will damage the finish and the wood
Wood Furniture Treatments – Will add contamination to the surface creating a slippery and dangerous surface
Wood Floor Polish – Will quickly add shine to flooring which scuffs, scratches and diminishes rapidly
PROPER CARE:
Sweep or dust mop regularly
Use a vacuum with the beater bare turned off to remove dust from between floor boards
Use protective felt pads on all furniture legs
Place breathable walk off mats at all entrances
Remove spills promptly with a damp cloth (leaving spilled water will result in cracks, splits, cupping, warping and/or degradation of the finish and leave a discoloring residue)
Maintain a consistent temperature and humidity
Daily – Sweep or dust mop
Weekly – Vacuum using the bare floor setting
Monthly – Clean with recommended wood flooring cleaner
Every 3-5 years – Maintenance coat
Every Few Decades – Sand and refinish
- Placing a dirt trapping mat at all exterior doors will prevent dirt and sand from entering your home and scratching your new floor.
- We also recommend using an area rug on high traffic areas such as hallways and stair landings.
- Remember to use a rug that allows your floor to breathe. Avoid rubber backed or non-ventilated rugs. Use no-slip rug underlayment to keep your rug from slipping.
- Felt protectors under furniture legs prevents scuffing and scratching. These should be replaced often.
- Vacuum, sweep or dust your floors regularly to remove any dirt that may damage the finish on your flooring.
- When vacuuming, turn off the beater brush or use a hose/wand attachment.
- Blinds or curtains prevent harmful UV rays from discoloring floors
- Wipe up any spills immediately using the recommended cleaning products for your flooring. Floors should be mopped with the recommended cleaner.
- Do not over saturate your flooring. Lightly mist the floor with cleaner and then mop.
- Using a humidifier minimizes gaps in the floor boards during the winter months when you are running heat throughout your home
- Check the protective caps on your heels. When a cap wears and the steel support is exposed you may dent and pit your flooring.
- NEVER place potted plants directly on your wood flooring. Waterproof saucers do not protect your flooring from condensation buildup which can damage flooring. Plants should be placed in stands.
- NEVER use water, household dust treatments, oil soaps, or furniture polish.
- NEVER wax a urethane floor.
- NEVER use vinyl or tile cleaner on wood floors.