Hardwood floors are a great investment in your home. With the varieties of wood and stains available, you can create gorgeous patterns and designs that will stand the test of time. But any kind of flooring needs proper care to keep it strong and vibrant. Hardwood floor care can be challenging because dirt and damages tend to be more noticeable. But by avoiding certain actions and cleaners, you can keep your hardwood floors in pristine condition.
Outdoor Shoes
This is a good piece of advice for any type of flooring, but it’s especially true for hardwood floors. When you wear your shoes inside, you track in all the dirt from outside with you. Even if you weren’t walking around in the mud, your shoes still carry a host of bacteria and germs that can dirty your floors. And if something gets stuck in the sole of your shoe (such as a small pebble), you could risk scratching up your floor whenever you take a step.
Moving Furniture Without Protection
There’s likely going to be a time in your life when you’ll need to move your furniture around. Whether you’re redesigning a room or just moving the couch out so you can clean behind it, any movement can damage your hardwood floors. To avoid scratches and scuffs, place furniture sliders under your furniture. Not only will this protect your floor, but it will also let you move heavier items more easily.
Harsh Hardwood Floor Care Cleaners
Keeping your hardwood floors clean is important, but cleaning them the wrong way can cause damage. Harsh, abrasive cleaners can scratch your hardwood floors and rub away at their vibrant coatings, leaving duller floor panels behind. Make sure you always use cleaners that are specifically designed for use on hardwood floors. You should also avoid spraying the cleaner directly on the floor. Instead, spray it onto your mop first and then wipe it.
Liquid Spills and Water Damage
Water is one of the most damaging threats to hardwood floors. Even with a proper sealant, wood floors can soak up water, which causes the panels to warp or deteriorate. It’s important that you clean up any spills right away. You’ll also want to avoid using a soaking wet mop to clean, and ensure there’s plenty of airflow to help dry everything out afterward. Above all else, don’t steam clean your hardwood floors!
DIY Hardwood Floor Care
Finally, it’s important that you avoid any DIY restoration work on your hardwood floors. Instead, call a professional and certified hardwood floor care specialist at Extreme Carpet Care and Restoration. Our years of experience with hardwood floors help us keep your home fresh and healthy with beautiful floors. If your floors need cleaning or repair, give us a call at 850-779-0713 to schedule an on-site floor care consultation.
