Hardwood flooring is a great choice for your home. It looks very classy, helps insulate noise, contributes to the good quality of indoor air, and even helps increase your resale value. However, it could be damaged if not protected properly. Here are the 3 easy steps to keep your hardwood floor safe from damage.
Dust prevention is the top priority
Dust and gravel are very abrasive to hardwood. They could scratch your floor and remove its finish so you want to avoid it as much as possible.
Doormat
The best way to deal with dust and gravel is to prevent it from being brought from the outside to your floor. A good rug or doormat is essential for your home if you have hardwood floors.
Sweeping or Vacuuming
Depending on the foot traffic, sweeping and vacuuming regularly prevents dust and other abrasive bits from accumulating enough to do damage.
Just be mindful of your vacuum attachment/broom. As much as possible, use soft brooms and avoid brushes. The bristles from brushes can easily remove your floor’s natural gloss.
Keep your floor dry
Hardwood is an organic material and it’s not waterproof. It can be water-resistant but it can be easily stained if liquids stay too long on the surface. Clean spills immediately. Apply manufacturer-approved floor cleaners after wiping the liquids to get rid of oiliness and the smell.
Again, hardwood is organic. If it becomes damp or wet, fungi or termites can infest and destroy your floor. When cleaning your floor you want to avoid using water and cleaning products that are too acidic or basic. Bona is a great option for most floors but you can check first the factory’s recommendations for approved cleaners.
Take care of all the “feet”
Though hardwood is hard, it could easily be damaged by various types of “feet”.
Shoe rack and slippers
Hard and pointy soles can definitely scratch your floor. We suggest for you to have a shoe rack beside the door to prevent footwear coming into contact with your floor.
We also recommend having slippers that are floor-friendly. Here are 5 of the best slippers for hardwood floors.
Have dog nails clipped
Dog nails are one of the culprits for the scratches on your hardwood floor. Clip them if you have the knowledge or better yet, bring them to the vet to get them clipped.
Use furniture pads
We prefer furniture pads over furniture wheels as wheels can still scratch your floors. Here are the 3 best furniture pads for hardwood floors.
Avoid these:
Excessive sunlight
Too much exposure to sunlight can cause fading, darkening and/or discoloration. Use blinds, curtains or UV filters on your windows. You can also use mats to cover spots on your floor that get exposed to sunlight.
Substances similar to Furniture Polish and Hairspray
These can make the finish on your hardwood floor cloudy. Wipe them immediately with approved floor cleaners. Remember, wipe all the liquids dry.