A well-looked after hardwood floor will give you a lifetime of pleasure. And a genuine hardwood floor really doesn't take much looking after at all. Here are a few tips to keep your floor looking its best
- regularly vacuum the floor to prevent abrasive dust from accumulating and scratching the finish
- remember that wood and water aren't the best of friends! Never wash your hardwood floor with lots of water and do not leave water or any other liquid to dry on your hardwood floor. Wipe up spots and spills immediately
- be sure to keep pets' nails cleaned and trimmed as they could damage the finish of your hardwood floor
- remember that sharp pointed objects can cause damage to your floor
- avoid wearing high heels on your hardwood floor. Do not wear shoes that are covered with dirt, gravel or abrasive dust
- never use wax, household detergents or soap to clean your floor, as they will leave a greasy film on your floor. Use maintenance products that are specially designed for hardwood flooring
- always clean your hardwood floor lengthwise following the wood grain
- use adequate floor protection (felt pads) under all furniture and chair legs in order to ease their movement and to prevent scratching to the floor. Use protective mats at doorways
- protect the floor if you move heavy objects or pieces of furniture. Carry furniture clear of the floor or place a rug under the furniture, wrong side up, and then slide the rug
- if an accident should damage your hardwood floor, replacing the affected board is easy