A Guide for Caring for your Hardwood Flooring

You finally have the exquisite hardwood flooring you have always wanted. Unfortunately, many home owners make the mistake of not taking the time to learn about the best way to care for their flooring. Here are some simple rules of thumb to keep your hardwood flooring looking gorgeous for a lifetime.

It is important to know what kind of floor you have. Is it oak or cherry? How has it been sealed? This is important because it determines how to care for it. If it\’s sealed with polyurethane, for example, you do not want to wax it. If you inherited the floor with the house, try asking the previous owners for information. You can also search the Internet for a match.

If you still cannot figure it out, consider hiring a professional to come and look at it. You may think this is an unnecessary hassle and expense, but remember your floor is a valuable asset. The cost of consulting a professional is much less than the cost of having to refinish your floor because of improper care.

The next step is to purchase the right floor care products. Do not just use any cleaner! The chemicals in many cleaners can ruin the finish and even damage the wood. Testing it on a hidden spot will not work either. The damage may not show up right away. You will want to look for a pH neutral cleaner designed specifically for hardwood flooring.

You\’ll need to be vigilant on a daily basis for two things. The first of them is dirt. Even very fine dust and dirt can scratch hardwood flooring. You will want to find a broom or dust mop that lifts dirt away from the surface of the floor. A broom or cleaning pad that keeps the dirt in contact with the floor is like using sandpaper. You can also use the vacuum with a soft brush attachment. Before you begin, though, make sure to clean the wheels of the vacuum so they do not become a source of scratches.

Another way to keep dirt in check it so put down rugs in high traffic areas. It will not only keep dirt from getting all over the room, but it will reduce wear in those areas. It\’s important to shake out the rugs and sweep under them daily though. Otherwise the dirt can filter through the rug and scratch the floor underneath.

The second thing hardwood floors hate is water. If you spill something, clean it with a soft dry cloth right away. If sweeping alone is not getting the job done, you can use a damp mop. The mop should be just barely damp however. Wring it twice. Make sure all excess water is absorbed before you walk away.

One more important thing to check regarding water. Make sure all plants have a water-catch tray that does not leak. Check under them often to make sure no water seeps through. Water rings and warping under plants is the number one problem affecting hardwood floors.

Protect your investment by doing the simple things above. If you do, your hardwood flooring will stay looking great for a lifetime. Remember, you will get out of it what you put into it. So take good care of those floors!

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