Like any floor covering, real wood floors will show signs of wear over time, depending on the size and lifestyle of your family. But by observing a few precautions, and following a proper cleaning and maintenance program, you can expect years of beauty from your wood floor. Here are some basic do’s/dont’s of hardwood care and maintenance:
- Don’t clean or mop your hardwood floor with water or steam. Water can dull the finish and permanently damage the floor.
- Don’t use any wax or cleaner that must be mixed with water such as oil, soap, or paste wax products; or other household cleaners that contain lemon oil, tung oil, or ammonia, as this may damage your floor and result in a loss of warranty.
- Do use a manufacturer’s approved cleaner for the routine maintenance of your hardwood floor. Follow the cleaner’s recommendations provided on the cleaning container.
- Do vacuum or sweep your floor daily to help eliminate fine particles of dirt and grit. These particles can act like sandpaper, and will scratch any floor. If you vacuum the floor, the vacuum head must be a felt or brush type. Be certain that the wheels of the vacuum are clean and do not damage the finish. Don’t use a vacuum with a “Beater Bar” head, unless the head is switched off.
- Do be sure to keep pet nails trimmed and paws clean and free of dirt, gravel, grease, oil, and stains.
- Do place protective pads beneath furniture legs to reduce scratches and dents. Use a dolly and protective sheets of plywood when moving heavy objects, furniture, or appliances. Some objects may be too heavy to move across a hardwood floor under any circumstances. Certain types of casters on furniture may also damage hardwood flooring.
- Do use interior climate controls (i.e. air conditioning, interior heating, humidifier, de-humidifier) as necessary to keep your wood flooring looking and performing great. Wood flooring will perform best when the interior environment is controlled to stay within a relative humidity range of 30-50 percent and a temperature range of 60 degrees to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
