Hardwood Floor Care & Maintenance
Hardwood Floor Maintenance & Care
Recommended Care & Maintenance for Your Hardwood Floor
Cleaning your hardwood floor has never been easier with today’s advances in wood flooring stains and finishes. Regular maintenance requires little more than sweeping with a soft bristle broom and vacuuming with a soft floor attachment if your hardwood floor includes a beveled edge that could collect debris. You should also clean your floors periodically with a hardwood floor cleaning product recommended by a hardwood flooring professional. The NWFA (National Wood Flooring Association) can help you find one in your area and is a great source for learning about hardwood flooring care & maintenance.
What to Do:
- Clean regularly with a broom or dust mop or even vacuum using the bare floor setting to remove dust & dirt.
- Clean the floors periodically with a professional wood flooring cleaning product based on the finish you used.
- Wipe up spills immediately with a dry or slightly damp cloth.
- Use throw rugs at doorways to help prevent debris from being tracked in and scratching the floor.
- Put stick-on felt protectors under the legs of furniture to prevent scuffing & scratching.
- Avoid walking on your wood floors with sports cleats & high heels.
- When moving heavy furniture, pick it up instead of sliding it across the floor.
- Keep your pet’s nails properly trimmed to protect your floor.
- Maintain adequate humidity of 35%-50% and temperature of 60-80 degrees.
What not to Do:
- Use wet or steam mops, which can dull the finish & even damage the wood.
- Use vinyl or tile cleaning products on wood floors.
- Use wood Furniture polish.
Recommended Maintenance Schedule:
This will vary depending on finish, personal use, wear, and lifestyle.
- Daily: Sweep or dust mop
- Weekly: Vacuum using a bare floor setting
- Monthly: Clean with recommended wood flooring cleaner
- Every 3-5 years: Maintenance coat
- Every Few Decades: Sand and Refinish
