Hardwood floors are one of the best investments to any home. Hardwood floors are durable and will last decades with proper care. Properly taking care of hardwood flooring in a busy home can be difficult as high foot traffic from kids and pets can wear down the wood surface. High traffic homes often develop scratches, indents, and cracks. To help protect and properly care for hardwood flooring in a busy household there are additional steps you will want to take to ensure the care of the flooring. Mike’s Custom Flooring will share how to care for hardwood flooring in busier homes.
Routine Hardwood Floor Cleaning
Hardwood floors require routine cleaning. However, in busier households this routine must be done more often. Hardwood floors greatly benefit from sweeping, dusting and mopping. Depending on how busy your home is, pets and children can demand that the hardwood floors need to be cleaned more often. If you have a busy home consider sweeping or dusting the flooring every other day and mopping the floors once a week. Dirt will scratch the wood floor sealer on the surface. Dirt must be kept away to prevent dulling and scratching of the wood surface. In a home with a large family, make sure to keep dirt off your hardwood floors.
Remove Spills & Stains from Hardwood Floors
As many parents know, it is not the matter of “if” your kids will spill food on the floor it is a matter of “when.” When spills from drinks, food or other substances falls onto the floor, it is important to clean it up quickly. Spills can stain the wood and remove the wood’s protective sealer if left unattended. Depending on how deep the stain seeped into the wood, it may never be removed with mopping. Such stains can be removed. However, it will require the floor to be sanded down and refinished. To prevent unnecessary maintenance, make sure to clean spills as soon as they happen.
Use Rug & Mats on Hardwood Flooring
It helps to protect hardwood floor in high traffic areas by using mats and rugs. Let the mat and rugs take the beating instead of the wood’s surface. Additionally, mats at every entry door can help reduce the amount of dirt that comes into the home. You can have a mat placed on the outside and inside of the door to ensure most of the dirt gets captured on the mat and not brought into the home. Less dirt inside the home means you won’t have to sweep your floors as often.
No Shoes in House Rule
Shoes on hardwood floors in never a good thing. Especially heels or dress shoes. To prevent bringing in dirt and the scratching of your hardwood floors, implement a “no shoes” rule inside the home. Have people take their shoes off at the door to help keep your floors cleaner longer and scratch free.
Use Sliders to Move Heavy Furniture on Hardwood Floors
Furniture can damage hardwood floors as they shift and move around. It is recommended in a home with lots of activity to have furniture pads underneath the furniture. It can be tempting at times to slide the furniture when cleaning. However, furniture, even with pads, can damage hardwood floors. Always pick up the furniture when cleaning underneath them or moving them around. If you must slide furniture because it’s too heavy to life, use furniture sliders.
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To help ensure the hardwood floor lasts in your busy home, follow these basic tips. For quality installation, refinishing and repair services, contact Mike’s Custom Flooring today.
