Caring for Hardwood Flooring

What Not to Do

Hardwood floors are long-lasting, but they can get seriously damaged if you treat them improperly. Below are a couple of things you should avoid doing to your floor:

• Do not drag furniture along the floor. Your hardwood floor should be sealed with something that will protect it from most scratches, but heavy furniture can scratch up the floor if you do not move it around with care. Wait until someone can help you pick up the furniture so it is not in contact with the floor as you move it.
• Do not allow any water to accumulate on the floor or for there to be a high level of humidity in the room. There is a reason that people do not use hardwood in bathrooms; water will warp even the hardest wood when it sits on the wood for a long period of time. Make sure there are no leaks anywhere in the room and that spills are cleaned up right away. It can also help to ensure that the room has good ventilation so moisture will not gather in the air.

What to Do

Even more important than knowing what not to do to your new floor is knowing how you can best care for it. These simple steps will go a long way in making your hardwood investment last longer:

• Take good care of your hardwood floor on a regular basis by keeping it clean. You should be sweeping your floor as often as necessary to stop the accumulation of dirt and other harmful debris. You will also want to mop the floor whenever necessary. When you mop, just be sure to use a minimal amount of water and no abrasive cleaner on the floor, as this can just damage the sealant or the wood itself.
• Put pads on the bottom of furniture. You should do this for all furniture in the room, no matter how light it is. It is especially important on furniture that you move often, such as chairs around the dining room table. You can buy furniture pads at any home maintenance store. It is smart to do this before you put all the furniture in the room after the floor has been installed. This way, you will know it is on every piece of furniture and the floor is much less likely to be scratched before you can get around to the task.
• Keep your pets' nails clipped. When dogs or cats with long nails run around on the hardwood, they will scratch up the floor and can make very deep grooves that even a new seal on the floor cannot cover up.

These are just some simple tips to help you keep your floor in good shape. When you get your hardwood installed, you should ask yourSarasota flooringcontractor for any other information about how to care for the new floor. The type of hardwood you chose, the way it was installed, and your unique situation may require different care, such as resealing the floor. Your contractor should be able to tell you everything else you need to know about caring for your hardwood.