- Caring for hardwood flooring is first determined as to whether the flooring has been finished with a sealant or not. For sealed hardwood floors, floor care consists of regular vacuuming and/or mop dusting to remove soil and abrasive debris. Do not use a vacuum beater bar as this can damage the hardwood flooring. Instead, use a straight vacuum head that has a felt or brush application. This should be complimented with using a natural pH floor cleaner that will not dull the floor appearance due to too high a pH. Frequency of cleaning will be determined by soil load and interior activities of the house.
- For non-sealed hardwood flooring, the same cleaning practices are required, with increased cleaning frequencies since there is no protective sealant on the hardwood floor to protect it from stainage, soil, and abrasion.
- Avoid harsh abrasive chemicals at all times. Do not use lemon oil, or any paste wax products as this can damage your hardwood floor and void the warranty.
- Use protective pads underneath furniture legs to minimize scratches to the hardwood surface. Use caution when moving heavy items across the hardwood flooring, utilizing protective material underneath the items, or a dolly with wheels that will not dent or scratch this type of flooring.
- Hardwood flooring is sensitive to changes in humidity. If you live in a dryer more arid climate, a humidifier is recommended to prevent shrinkage of the wood because of low humidity levels.
- Hardwood flooring can be negatively affected by exposure to the sun and the damaging effects of UV rays oxidizing and aging the wood surfaces. Plan to move your furniture on a rotational basis, so as to ensure that hardwood flooring ages evenly.
- Use door mats at outdoor entrances and encourage your family and friends to remove their shoes before walking on hardwood flooring. Using entrance matting is the single most important factor in keeping dirt and soil outside of your home and protecting your investment in flooring, including hardwood flooring.
