what maintenance does hardwood flooring need?
Use floor mats in entranceways to collect debris and liquids
Floor mats in front of high-traffic areas can help reduce wear (Important to make sure water does not sit underneath mats)
Vacuum/sweep regularly to prevent grit that wears down the finish (Avoid vacuums with beater bars or power rotary brush head)
Wipe up spills and spots immediately with a damp cloth
Use protective felt pads (Click here to buy) under chairs and pads under heavy furniture
If you’re looking for carpet pads, Nomuv.com is a respected brand that uses natural rubber
Keep your pet’s nails trimmed and paws dried to the best of your ability
Use window coverings to block fade-causing UV rays
For something like wax or gum, you can use ice to harden it, then gently scrape it off with a credit card, taking care not to scratch the finish
We recommend Bona hardwood floor cleaner (Important NOT to use their polish)
When floors begin to show light wear, the good idea is to have us do a quick buff and recoat. This will give your floor new life and it is much less intrusive, costly, and timely compared to a full resand. Doing this consistently can prevent the need for a resand indefinitely and will save you money in the long term.
Wood will always shrink in the winter and expand in the summer. Using a whole-home humidifier during winter will help lessen the shrinkage, as wood likes to stay between 35% and 55% humidity.
Things To Avoid
High heels may dent the floor, especially a softer wood like pine
Wet-mopping, damp-mopping, and vinegar
The following 3 bullets will make your floor incompatible with polyurethane in the future (meaning you will not be able to re-coat your floors when they get worn)
Oil soaps, liquid or paste wax, or other household products containing lemon, citrus, tung oil, or silicon
Steel wool or scouring pads to scrub the floor
2-in- 1 cleaner that has acrylic or urethane polish to restore gloss