How to Care for Your Hardwood Floors

Hardwood floors add so much character to our space. With regular maintenance they can last more than a lifetime. A quality hardwood floor may need light sanding and finishing after a decade or two. In the meantime keep them looking wonderful with these maintenance tips.

• Place doormats at the entrances, this will reduce not just dirt but lead and pesticides
• Remove shoes the entrance.
• Promptly remove any spills.
• Plan regular sweeping, vacuuming or dust-mopping.
• Keep pet's nails trimmed. 
• Block harsh sunlight using window covering to avoid discoloration.

For cleaning your hardwood floor:

• Vacuum or sweep to get rid of excess dirt and grime that could scratch the floor.
• Water is an enemy to a wood floor. It can warp and damage the wood. Use a damp microfiber mop to wipe the surface clean. Don't ignore corners of the room where more dust can get trapped.
• Wipe twice, but each time rinse the cloth and squeeze excess water out. Then Dry using a clean and dry microfiber cloth attached to your mop.
• Ordinary household soaps and detergents can be damaging to hardwood. Oil soaps and other cleaners that promise shine can build up. White vinegar with acid will penetrate the finish. 
• Best non-toxic cleaner would be 1/4 cut mild dishwashing detergent added to a bucket of water for damp mopping.
• Do not use steam cleaners or floor scrubbing machines. They will weaken the seal and scratch the surface.

Hardwood floors can be used anywhere inside the home even the bathroom and kitchen following these simple tips and they can look gorgeous for many many years.