Many people enjoy the natural look of hardwood floors. To ensure that the floors stay clean and shiny for as long as you live in your home, there are several tips that you can use for general maintenance. Here are ten ways to keep your hardwood floors shining longer. Tip # 1 – Never Use an Oil-Based Cleaner An oil-based cleaner is not recommended for hardwood floors because it can ruin the finish and cause an oily residue that is difficult to remove. Make sure that you use a reputable cleaner designed especially for Hardwood Flooring. These cleaners include agents that protect your floors from water damage. Tip # 2 – Dust Your Hardwood Floors Weekly To avoid dust and dirt working its way into the crevices of your hardwood floors, be sure to dust them regularly. It is the small dirt particles that do the floor damage when walked on & ground into hardwood. If you prefer to vacuum your hardwood floors, use a soft brush attachment to avoid damaging the surface. Tip # 3 – Avoid Surface Damage Whenever Possible Take steps to ensure the surface of your hardwood floors is not damaged by things such as your animal’s claws and high-heeled shoes. Have family members remove their shoes before walking on the hardwood floors and keep your animal’s nails trimmed to prevent surface scratches. In heavy traffic areas, area rugs work well to protect your hardwood floors. Tip # 4 – Do Not Use Wax Wax is not recommended for hardwood floors. Prefinished hardwood is naturally more durable than old sand and finish floors. Waxing will leave a residue that is difficult to remove, potentially risking wood damage. Tip # 5 – Use Furniture Gliders Preventative maintenance is critical to keep your hardwood floors looking new. Be sure to use gliders when moving heavy furniture. In the case of an area such as a dining room, chairs should be lifted and placed instead of being dragged across the floors. Tip # 6 – Clean Up Pet Messes Immediately Urine from pets can damage and stain your hardwood floors if it is not immediately cleaned. If you are not going to be home and your pet has a habit of urinating on the floor, be sure to keep your pet secured in a room away from the wood floors until you return. Tip # 7 – Use Doormats To avoid having dirt tracked across your hardwood floors, use doormats or walk-off mats at every entrance of your home. Dirt that is tracked onto your floors from shoes can cause scratches and surface damage. Tip # 8 – Use a Soft-Bristled Broom for Sweeping Never use a harsh or hard-bristled broom for sweeping your hardwood floors. A soft-bristled brush is the safest bet to avoid scratching the floors or grinding dirt into the wood. Tip #9 – Use a Cleaner Recommended by Your Floor’s Manufacturer For best results, use the cleaner that is recommended by the manufacturer of your specific hardwood floor. Tip # 10 – Invest In a Dust Mop Most often, a good dust mop multiple times a day will be the best remedy for ensuring the long term beauty of the floor.
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Many people enjoy the natural look of hardwood floors.
John Erickson, a carpet installation expert and resident of St. Petersburg, Florida, writes on home improvement tips, carpeting and keeping up a beautiful house.
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