Routine Hardwood Care
With the right hardwood care steps, your floors can last for decades, even a lifetime. Regular hardwood care and maintenance is important for the longevity of your surface. Routine cleaning will keep your hardwood attractive and will remove dirt and debris that can scratch or damage your floors. When spills happen, it is important to act quickly to prevent stains or damage. Do not use any hardwood cleaning products on your floors without consulting your manufacturer. Learn more about how to keep your new floors looking and performing great for many years.
Caring for Your Hardwood
Proper hardwood maintenance and cleaning can help extend the floor's lifespan and keep it looking fresh. Here are some general hardwood care guidelines to ensure your planks remain pristine:
- Sweep your floors regularly to remove dirt and dust. How often you sweep depends on how much foot traffic your room receives.
- You can dry mop or damp mop your flooring. Make sure any product you use is manufacturer approved. Be careful not to let water pool or stand on your floors.
- Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners, as these can cause damage to the wood.
- Place rugs or mats in high-traffic areas to reduce the amount of dirt tracked through your house and reduce the impact of wear and tear.
- Clean spills immediately to prevent staining.
- Have your hardwood floors professionally cleaned and refinished every few years to maintain their appearance and performance.
- No matter how careful you are, some scratches will happen. To fix minor scratches on hardwood, use a wood filler stick or touch-up marker that matches the color of your hardwood floors, and apply it to the affected area until it is filled in.
- For deeper scratches or more serious damages, sand and refinish the affected area.
- Use furniture pads on the bottom of your furniture to prevent scratches or dents.
- Protect your hardwood floors from excessive sunlight, which can cause the wood to fade or change color over time. Use window treatments such as blinds or curtains to control the amount of sunlight that enters the room.
- Trim your pet's nails regularly to avoid scratches.
