5 Tips to Preserve and Clean Hardwood Floors

May 7, 2015 5 Tips to Preserve and Clean Hardwood Floors

Hardwood floors are beautiful, and they add charm, warmth and character to any home. If you are fortunate enough to have hardwood floors in your home, no doubt you will want to do everything you can to preserve them and keep them looking good.

Fortunately, it doesn’t take a whole lot of effort to protect and clean your hardwood flooring. Just follow these 5 easy tips:

Wipe Up Spills Immediately. As with clothing and carpeting, when you spill something on hardwood floors, the trick to getting it cleaned up without any permanent damage is to wipe it up right away.
Dust or Vacuum Floors Weekly. The key here is to remove sandy dust, gravel and particles of debris from the floor, as these will have a sandpaper-like effect on hardwood over time. Be sure to use the vacuum attachment that is designed for bare floors, as you don’t want to brush the floors.
Cover Up High-Traffic Areas. A door mat is always a good idea for inside the front door (or the door used most often), and the longer your mat extends into the entryway, the better. Use area rugs for other high-traffic areas, or areas where spills tend to occur, such as around a coffee or side table.
Always Clean With a Damp (Not Wet!) Mop or Sponge. Opinions vary on what type of cleaner to use on hardwood floors. We like to use a small amount of cleaner that is designed for wood floors on a damp microfiber mop. Regardless of what type of mop or cleaner you use, never allow hardwood floors to become truly wet, as the moisture can be damaging.
Reposition Furniture and Rugs Every So Often. Believe it or not, extended exposure to sunlight can affect hardwood floors over time. So if you re-position your furniture and rugs in sunny areas of the room occasionally, it will help to prevent any “patches” of sun-faded areas from forming on your floor.