Hardwood floors are a beautiful addition to a home and something that Craftmark Homes takes pride in offering in most of our models. They provide a natural elegance that can’t be replicated.
Important to your home’s overall aesthetic, it’s crucial to keep your hardwood in great condition. Although durable and made to last decades, this type of flooring requires special maintenance to best preserve it. Here are a few tips that will keep your hardwood flooring pristine.
Tips for Hardwood Floor Maintenance
General maintenance procedures should include:
Regular cleaning
Vacuum or sweep with a broom at least twice a week to remove dust, dirt and other particles. Ensure you have the correct equipment for hardwood, as vacuuming without the right attachment can scratch or remove the floor’s protective finish. Additionally, wipe your floors down periodically with a hardwood surface cleaner to keep the wood looking fresh.
Prompt spot cleaning
As soon as you notice a spill, it should be addressed. Blot the spill with a damp cloth (not a wet one). If you let the spill linger for too long, it can find small cracks and cause damage. If there is a stain after blotting, care for it with a hardwood surface cleaner as directed by the bottle.
Preventative Care
Attempting to prevent issues in the first place can save you time and headaches down the line:
Area rugs
A nice rug not only looks great in a room with hardwood flooring, but it also provides protection. Place them in high traffic areas where accidents are most likely to happen, such as your living room. Runner rugs in hallways will help keep floors safe and provide traction in busy thoroughfares.
Entry mats
The entry points to your home get the most traffic and are most susceptible to flooring damage from outside elements, especially in the winter when ice melt can be tracked in. Entry mats prevent this by being a cushy barrier to shoes, pet claws, and everything else that comes through the door.
Floor protectors
Heavy objects such as cabinets, hutches, and couches can dent or warp the hardwood floors on which they sit. Put floor protectors under the legs of these objects to keep the floors immaculate.
The Don’ts
Now that you know the “dos” of hardwood flooring, here are the “don’ts”:
- No harsh cleaners. Cleaners not specifically formulated for hardwood can eat away at your floor’s finish and damage the wood. As your hardware store rep to help you choose the most appropriate cleanser for your floor type.
- Nothing abrasive. Rigid broom bristles, steel wool and many powder cleaners use abrasion to clean surfaces. On hardwood, this results in scratches and dullness.
- No wet mopping. Wood and water are not friends! Wet mopping will leave your beautiful wood floors warped and damaged.
- No steam cleaning. Again, do not use water-based cleaning techniques on hardwood. Even on sealed wood, steam can penetrate crevices and sides. Just stay away!
Follow these tips and you’ll have beautiful hardwood floors for decades to come. Craftmark Homes uses premier Shaw Flooring for our homes. If you have Shaw Floors and want to see how to clean up specific messes, use this handy tool to figure out the best course of action.
Craftmark Homes has been a top home builder in the Washington, D.C. area for over 27 years. If you’re in the market for a new home, contact us today to discuss your needs. We can help you get the home of your dreams.