Cleaning Hardwood Floors

1. Sweep or vacuum floors often, once or twice a week. Use a soft bristle broom for sweeping to avoid scratching.
2. Remove all traces of water or liquid spillage immediately with a soft towel and dry thoroughly.
3. Use a damp string mop, not excessively wet, to mop polyurethane and oil finished wood floors. Avoid letting excess water seep into the seams. 
4. Shake out and vacuum area rugs and runners so dirt doesn't filter down through the weave and scratch the wood floor underneath. Although polyurethane wood floors are not usually waxed, a dulled or scratched area may be treated by applying a coat of liquid or paste wax and buffed. Spot refinishing may be necessary.

1. Do not wear heavy shoes or high heels on hardwood floors that may cause dents.

2. Never drag furniture or other objects across wood floors. Use gliding furniture pads underneath furniture legs to aid moving across the floor.

3. Install floor mats or area carpets at each entrance from outside so you don't track in dirt from the bottoms of shoes.

4. Be careful when using furniture wax or sprays. If the overspray dries on the wood floor it will become extremely slippery.

5. Follow manufacturer recommendations to treat flooring scratches and dents. If the finish is damaged by water,  it may be difficult to repair.

6. Remove stains and water marks by light sanding and reapply finish and wax.

7. Do not use oil soaps, ammonia cleaners, alkaline products, or abrasive cleaners on wood floors.

8. If the floor is severely damaged by water, stains, or scratches consider refinishing the entire floor. If the floor is a laminated wood floor use extreme care to prevent damaging the top layer.

Wood floors are beautiful and add a lot of character to the home. To insure years of use they must be maintained and cleaned periodically.

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