Hardwood floors are some of the most elegant flooring options for nearly every room in a home. From a formal dining room to a casual look in the family room, hardwood floors really offer great design versatility. Proper maintenance of hardwood flooring is one of the most important aspects of enjoying the investment made into a home.

Why Hardwood Flooring Maintenance Is So Important

Taking care of your floor should be a habit. Putting off floor maintenance is the fastest way to erase its beauty and waste the time and monetary investment for installation. Getting into a routine guarantees timely upkeep and very long life for a hardwood floor. By doing a little bit every week, a hardwood floor is easy to maintain.

There really isn’t a great need for doing massive cleaning projects if the little things are done on a consistent basis. The little things include sweeping up accumulated dust and dirt that can scratch the wood surface and taking off your shoes at the door to your home. Even if it sounds like common sense, make sure to clean up any spills as soon as possible!

Preventative Maintenance

One of the best ways to keep hardwood looking its best is a little preventative maintenance. By placing felt pads under furniture legs, you will prevent deep scratches or dents from forming in the floor surface. Every piece of furniture will move a little over time with constant use, so these pads are best used on each and every piece in the room. Placing mats and rugs at the entrance to a room will help trap dirt before it can make its way onto the hardwood floor.

The worst thing for the floor’s finish is abrasive dirt being tracked through the house on someone’s shoes. Rugs can also be placed in areas where spills might be likely to stop water before it can seep into wood and cause damage. If a spill does occur on such a rug, make sure it is completely dry on both sides before placing it back on the floor.

Temperature Considerations

The environment in which a hardwood floor is installed is very important for its long-term health. Ultraviolet radiation from sunlight will fade and damage hardwoods. It is important to keep thick curtains drawn over windows when sunlight is directly hitting a room. Natural wood responds to temperature and humidity, so it is important to control both. Using your thermostat and air conditioner is the best way to achieve this.

During dry winter days, you can even add a humidifier to your home HVAC system; it will help both your floor and your sinuses. Overall, the best range for hardwood floors is between 68 and 75 degrees and 40% to 60% humidity.

Make sure to follow all of your manufacturer’s instructions, especially during cleaning. The tips provided there will add years to a floor’s life. Following those instructions will also keep your warranty in effect in the off chance that something does happen to the floor. By developing good habits and following instructions, hardwood floors should provide a lifetime of enjoyment.