Hardwood Floor Care: Do's and Don'ts

Realize that if you choose to have hardwood flooring in your home, you'll have to learn the proper hardwood floor care to ensure that your floor remains in good shape. It is especially vital if you have your floor installed in a high-traffic area in your home, such as the living room and kitchen. Over time, hardwood floors lose their shine and texture so care & maintenance is essential.

Maintenance of hardwood floors involves cleaning them regularly. However, you'll need to be especially careful in cleaning your floors because applying the wrong cleaning techniques can ruin your hardwood floor.

Follow these do's and don'ts for proper maintenance:

-The Do's of Hardwood Floor Care:

1. Do use dry cloth to wipe excess water-based cleaning solutions off your hardwood floor. Keep in mind that water and water-based solutions are the biggest enemies of hardwood floors. Quickly wipe off any excess water on the floor to prevent the wood from swelling up.

2. Do regularly sweep the floor using a broom with soft bristle.

3. Do regularly vacuum to thoroughly clean the floor. It's a good idea to vacuum after sweeping as vacuuming will get rid of dust and dirt between floor boards.

4. Do place rugs on areas that may be prone to spilling, such as around tables, beds, desks, etc.

5. Do use drapes on your windows to minimize your hardwood floors exposure to sunlight.

6. Do take extra care whenever you move furniture back where you have just done hardwood floor care cleaning. This is when hardwood floors usually get scratched.

-The Don'ts of Hardwood Floor Care:

1. Don't allow water or water-based solutions to dry up on your hardwood floor; otherwise, your hardwood floor will expand and lose its quality over time.

2. Don't use a mop to clean a waxed floor.

3. Don't clean the floor with a vacuum that has beater bars. This type of vacuum can put scratches on your floor.

4. Don't use brushes with hard bristles for cleaning the floor.

5. Don't attempt to repair the gaps between boards on your own. It's best to hire a professional who knows what he's doing. Doing repairs on your own can cause even more damage to your floor.

6. Don't use cleaning solutions that can potentially damage your floor's finish. Make sure that you use cleaning solutions that work with the type of hardwood finish your floor has.

Keep in mind these simple tips and your hardwood floor should last a long time.

Niv Orlian is an experienced Home Improvement Adviser who writes articles for his Flooring & Carpet Cleaning online guides. Visit myflooringhelper.com to learn more about Hardwood Floor Care.