Caring for hardwood flooring

 
 
 
 

How to care for your hardwood flooring

 
Leave your shoes, high heels, and boots at the door
Shoes can track dirt and grime onto your floor, and when you walk, that dirt acts like sandpaper and will wear and scratch your floor. Not wearing shoes on your hardwood floor is the best thing to do to protect your floor. High-heeled shoes can leave dents in hardwood floors, so it is a good idea to ban them.

Use walk off mats and runners
Heavy traffic areas and entry points receive the most amount of wear on a hardwood floor. It’s a good idea to use walk off mats or runners at the entry points and in high-traffic areas such as hallways and the kitchen. Make sure to use a rug pad underneath any mats or runners that have a burlap or rough backing. These too can dull the finish.

Trim pets claws weekly
Pets can scratch floors, so keep their claws trimmed weekly. The bigger the dog, the more likely the damage will be. Even a small dog’s claws can scratch wood floors under the wrong circumstances.

Keep the floor dry and pick up any spills immediately
Any type of wood floor can be damaged by water or other spills. If liquid gets on your floor, wipe it up as soon as possible to avoid warping or spotting. Moisture can warp boards and crack the finish. Polyurethane floors are not waterproof. The wood on the bottom and sides of flooring is completely raw. Moisture can easily seep between the gaps in boards and warp wood from underneath.

Do not slide or drag furniture across a wood floor
Wood finishes can scratch and mar easily when you slide a piece of furniture across them, especially with the weight from a couch, table, or bookshelf. It is a good idea to apply felt furniture pads on the feet of any piece of furniture that you plan to put on your hardwood floors. They can be purchased at a local hardware store or home center.

Dust/sweep hardwood floors often
Keeping a hardwood floor free from dust extends its life dramatically. We recommend using a very soft bristle broom or microfiber dust mop. You should dust your floors several times per week, or whenever there is dust you can feel on your floor. You can also use a vacuum if there is way to shut the beater bar off. A vacuum cleaner with a beater bar can damage your floor.

Use very little water when cleaning your floor
Use a very slightly damp mop when mopping polyurethane wood floors, since excess water can seep into seems and ruin a wood floor. We recommend simply using a spray on cleaner and microfiber mop like the Bona Hardwood Spray Mop. For really sticky spots, use a water dampened rag or sponge to clean them by hand and immediately dry them with a paper towel.

Do not use wax or polyurethane polishes
Most “miracle” cleaners have chemicals that will permanently streak or stain your floor. If you use these products, you will never be able to do a maintenance coat (aka “screen and coat”) on your floor, because they prevent the new finish from properly adhering.

Do not use ammonia or vinegar to clean your floor
Too much water or too much vinegar can dull the finish or ruin your floor. Stick to professional hardwood floor cleaners.
 
 
 
 

Request a free estimate

 

Estimate

* *
*
*