Tips for Taking Care of Hardwood Floors

Taking care of your hardwood floors is not a complex process. Like with most things in life, knowledge is important to successfully maintain the marvelous state of your floor. You should know which floors would need professional service and which floor issues can be readily repaired. Hardwood floors increase your home's value, and it is good to be equipped with the knowledge to ensure they do not deteriorate with time. Here are 6 tips for care and cleaning of your hardwood floors shared by AFS general contractors in Florida.

1. Use area rugs to protect high-traffic zones

A wood floor's finish often wears down when people walk across the area many times a day. Eye-catching throw rugs are the best way to minimize the wear. However, ensure they do not have a backing. Rubber or vinyl backing traps humidity that can damage your floor’s finish and ruin or stain the wood. To get the best area rug, ensure you first know these tips, which interior decorators would never let you know for free.

2. Reduce natural contraction and expansion

You should maintain a 40 to 60 percent level of normal indoor relative humidity all year round to reduce the natural contraction or expansion of the wood. A humidifier is highly recommended to prevent too much shrinkage of wood floors because of low levels of humidity. This is particularly essential during the winter season or when using an electric heat or wood stove, which often causes very dry conditions. In wet conditions, the right levels of humidity can be maintained by regularly switching on your heating system during the summer season, using a dehumidifier or air conditioner.

3. Wipe the spills

Use a soft and slightly dampened cloth to wipe tea spills or dry water immediately. You should not leave it on for long, as it might leave stain marks behind.

4. Protect the floor from marring

All wood floors can be dented, gouged or scratched. Concentrated weight, pointed or sharp objects or severe impact can damage your wood floor. Avoid walking on your floor with heels since they might cause indentations. Make sure you trim and file all pets' nails to reduce scratches.

5. General cleaning and care

Damp mopping works well for some finishes; check your manufacturer's care instructions for tips. You should not wet mop or clean your hardwood floor using water; it can dull the finish and permanently ruin the floor. Don't use any cleaner or wax that should be mixed with water, like oil soap, since this might damage the floor and lead to the loss of the warranty.
Don't use scouring powder, abrasive cleaners, wax, steel wool or polish.

6. Use stick-on felt protectors

You should place these protectors under the furniture’s legs to prevent scratching and scuffing of the floor. Replace them regularly to maintain the hardwood floor nicely.