How to Maintain Your Hardwood Floors

Most of the following tips are general and apply to all types of surfaces and finishes. Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations (if known) for specific details regarding care of your hardwood floors. Make sure you know what type of finish you have on your hard wood floor as there are particular recommendations for each type of finish. If you have any doubts, consult a professional.

1. Always remember that water is the biggest enemy of your hardwood floors. Water can cause warping, dulling of the finish and buckling. Make sure all wet spills are cleaned up promptly and thoroughly.


2. Wipe up food and other wet spills promptly with a dry cloth or paper towel. If necessary, use a dampened cloth for sticky spills. Make sure you completely dry the floor with another soft cloth or paper towel.


3. Accumulation of dust and dirt on your hardwood floors is like attaching sandpaper to the bottom of your shoes and walking around. This is the quickest way to damage the finish of your floors. Daily (or as often as necessary) cleaning should be done with a dust mop, soft broom or vacuum.


4. To keep the collection of dirt and dust at a minimum, place mats at all exterior entrances. Of course, this won’t stop all the dirt from getting in but it will reduce the amount greatly. Make sure you keep these mats cleaned on a regular basis as needed.


5. Use floor protectors (such as felt pads) under all furniture. Make sure pads are kept clean and in good condition. Replace as often as necessary to prevent wear on the surface of your floor.


6. If you must walk on your floors with high heels, make sure they are in good repair to prevent the heel tip from damaging the floor. If exposed, a heel nail can exert up to 8,000 pounds of pressure per square inch, denting any floor surface. The best scenario is to refrain from walking on your floors with any high heels, cleats, sports or hard soled shoes.


7. To keep from unevenly wearing down high traffic areas, place throw rugs in these areas (i.e. hallways, in front of sink stove in kitchen). Make sure rugs are kept clean and in good repair. Cotton is the most recommended fabric since it is easily washed and kept clean. Avoid mats with backings as these can trap water between the backing and floor.


8. Use a humidifier or dehumidifier along with your furnace or air conditioning system. Relative humidity at 30-50 percent is best for your hardwood floors and will help keep moisture in the wood and minimize cracks and gaps between boards.


9. Move large and/or heavy furniture with care. Try placing a thick piece of cloth under the item to be moved to prevent scratching and gouging of the floor. You could also try covering each leg with a heavy sock or a tennis ball split open.


10. Minimize your floor’s exposure to sun as much as possible. Finishes and wood can oxidize and are affected by the sun’s ultra violet light. This can cause the wood and/or finish to change color and develop an unsatisfactory patina. Install good light filtering curtains or blinds on windows to prevent sun damage to your floors.


11. Ball type casters, particularly those made of materials like metals or hard plastics can cause damage to wood floors. Avoid these types of casters and opt instead for non-marking rubber casters.


12. Clean floors periodically with a professional wood floor cleaning product. Of course, follow your manufacturer’s recommendations for brand and type. Do not use a household furniture polish as this can dull your finish or make your floors dangerously slick. Also, never use cleaners intended for vinyl or tile floors. These cleaners can dull your finish very quickly and will require sanding and finishing of your floor.


13. Never wax a urethane floor. Many floors today have urethane finishes. If you are not sure, consult a professional to determine the finish on your floor.


14. If your hardwood floor has a wax finish, buffing will usually restore shine. Avoid over-waxing the floor, try buffing first before applying more wax.