Hardwood flooring is not only beautiful, but it’s a very durable flooring option. Many people love the warmth that hardwood flooring adds to their home. It is also a great option in a high traffic area where you would normally worry about the matting and filth that can be left behind on carpeted areas. Hardwood floors are actually very easy to maintain, but they do require a bit of care. Mikes Custom Flooring is here to share some tips on how to care for your hardwood floors and maintain their beauty.

How Do You Clean Hardwood Floors Everyday?

You should sweep and even vacuum your hardwood floors regularly. If you are using a vacuum, make sure the beater bar is turned off to avoid any damage to your floors. This will help keep the dust and dirt down. The grooves found in hardwood flooring collect dust and need to be kept clear to avoid damage. You should also use a microfiber mop at least once a week. When mopping you should always use a pH-neutral cleaner to keep the finish on your floor intact. You should not use excess water when cleaning hardwood floors. Too much water can damage your floors. Also avoid using harsh cleaners. Vinegar should also be avoided when cleaning hardwood floors even if it is diluted in water. This can damage the finish on your flooring as well.

How Can We Maintain the Beauty & quality of Our Hardwood Floors?

There are some simple yet effective steps that can be taken to maintain the beauty of your hardwood floors. Those include:
• Using Area Rugs in High Traffic Areas. In high traffic areas, you may want to consider using an area rug to keep your floors from getting scratches and dings as a result of dirt and debris. Rugs are especially necessary in front of kitchen sinks to help avoid too much exposure to water.
• Don’t Over Wax. If it seems the wax on your floor is starting to dull, rather than applying more wax, try buffing instead.
• Protect Against Furniture. Furniture can scratch and damage hardwood floors. An easy solution to this problem is the use of felt pads on the legs of furniture. This will protect your flooring as your furniture moves around on it. Periodically replace these pads if they accumulate dirt and dust since that can act as sandpaper.
• Using Humidifiers. During the winter months, it might be a good idea to use a humidifier to avoid shrinkage in your wood floors. Humidity should be between 35% and 55%.
• Trim Pet’s Nails and Avoid High Heeled Shoes. If your pet’s nails aren’t trimmed they can cause scratching to your hardwood floors. High heeled shoes can also scratch wood flooring and should be avoided where possible.

Replace Hardwood or Refinish It?

Hardwood flooring is a timeless and durable flooring option. It is likely that you will never have to replace your hardwood flooring if you take good care of it. If you feel your hardwood floors are starting to look worn, replacement isn’t the first option you should look into. If your hardwood flooring hasn’t undergone irreversible damage, you can most likely refinish them and they will look like new again. Before you decide to replace your hardwood flooring, look into refinishing instead.

Hardwood Flooring Installation, Repair & Dustless Refinishing in Charles Town & Eastern Panhandle of Berkeley & Jefferson Counties in WV | Winchester & Frederick County | Round Hill & Loudoun County | Fairfax County VA

Mike’s Custom Flooring offers dustless refinishing as well as replacement of hardwood flooring and can assist you in any of your hardwood flooring needs. Call today!