If properly maintained, hardwood floors can last for decades, but they’re not indestructible. Hardwood floors need to be taken care of in order to maintain their sought-after look and durability.
Sharp points of contact can lead to scratches, so avoid walking on your hardwood floor in heels and keep your pet’s nails trimmed. We suggest using doormats in the entryways to minimize the amount of dirt and debris traveling onto the floor.
To prevent scratches, always pick up furniture or heavy objects completely off the ground as opposed to dragging them across the floor. You should also utilize anti-scratch felt protector pads on the feet of all furniture. These pads act as a soft barrier between your furniture legs and the hardwood floor.
Avoid leaving standing water on the floor. The top layers of lacquer or oil will protect your floor initially, but if the liquid is left to soak into the wood, then it can cause serious, irreparable damage.
When cleaning your floor, keep your hardwood’s finish in mind. A floor’s finish will determine the best method of floor care.
How to Clean your Hardwood Floors
While it may seem like a pain to add extra daily and weekly chores into your routine, these small acts will take under ten minutes and will have a ten-year impact on your hardwood floors.
Daily
Daily dirt buildup will quickly become harmful to hardwoods.
Use a microfiber mop or cloth daily to defend against scratches and surface damage. Using a broom can be effective, but a broom will only push dirt and debris around. Microfiber cleaning pads trap dirt and household allergens. Avoid lifting your microfiber mop or pad off the floor to keep dirt trapped.
Weekly
Mop or vacuum your floors weekly. Remember when using a mop to avoid excess liquid on the floor. A light mist with hardwood cleaner and a gentle touch is enough to ensure a sanitized floor.
Monthly
Polish your floors monthly. Polishing renews the finish on your hardwood floors. Polish also fills in micro scratches and evens out a floor’s protective shield.
Yearly
Floors put up with a lot of abuse over the course of a year, so give your floors a deep clean annually.
Eventually your floors may lose their luster. When this happens, consider sanding and refinishing your floors every three to 10 years to repair gouges, deep scratches, or loss of stain color.
Overall, avoid using water and vinegar solutions, soap-based cleaners, or steam cleaners. Vinegar will dull a floor’s finish and soap will leave a residue. Steam cleaners use excessive water and their heat leads to cupping and long-term damage.
