Hardwood Floor Care & Maintenance

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This page contains a summary on hardwood floor care with links to more

specific information on each one. Maintaining any new or old hardwood floor

may have much to do with what style of hardwood floor and the activity level of

your household.

Preventing Scratches

Likely to be the most discouraging thought from new owners are hardwood

flooring scratches. Folks, it's going to happen regardless. But there are

preventative measures that may be as simple as using area rugs and walk off

mats in strategic locations both inside and outside the home. If these don't

keep the grit at bay, other measures in the likes of using chair leg protectors

(also at the link above) keep grit from grinding into your hardwood floors.

Keeping Grit or Dirt At Bay

As far as periodic maintenance, many will agree the use of swiffers or vacuums

safe for hardwood floors work best for casual dirt or grit accumulation. New

gadgets come and go with the latest being the steam mop. We've found split

opinions on their use backed up with reasons why and why not. The choice is

yours.

Oh No. Let The Debates Roll On. Floor Cleaners

What type of hardwood floor cleaner is always hotly debated. Unfortunately

infomercials can cloud the judgment of many as manufacturers don't realize

most consumers fail to study the application procedures like they should.

Often, more is best turns into problems that could have been avoided.

Prevention

We go further by arming you with basic information on moving furniture or

appliances over hardwood floors without causing damage. If you've found us

after the fact, some minor scratches can be taken care of easily while others?

Regrettably, some may require the use of a professional. More information can

be found on our page that speaks about all types of hardwood floor repairs.

Entertain a lot? While there's not much that will protect any hardwood floor

from high heels we have offered some alternatives on floor choices if you

haven't made that buying decision yet. The same is true with hardwood floors

and our lovable dogs.

Related to floor care can also include what's going on outside your house.

Outside you say…nah, let's get serious. Now you're adding fluff. Nope,

moisture problems are the second leading cause of problems with hardwood

floors. A simple survey of what's happening outside from time to time can be a

lifesaver.

Humidification

Another potential moisture issue is maintaining the relative humidity in your

home. For those in dry climates moisture humidification is recommended.

Others in colder winter climates, humidifiers within heating systems are

methods to keep your hardwood floors from showing gaps.

By following our tips and staying "ahead of problems" before they happen,

should keep you, your new floors, and the significant other at blissful peace.

• Remove Waxes From Hardwood