It’s no secret that hardwood floors can completely transform a living space. They create a warm, rich aesthetic and, over time, will develop a beautiful patina that provides character throughout the home. Although they’re long-lasting, properly maintaining wood floors does require some work on your end. If you want to keep your hardwoods at their absolute best, here are a few tips to ensure they stay in tip-top shape.
Shoes Off
Taking your shoes off at the door makes it far easier to keep your home clean and your floors will certainly thank you for it. When dirt gets tracked into the house, it can cause undue wear and tear on the wood’s finish and all it takes is a pebble stuck in your shoe to create a scratch. While it’s possible to remove scuffs by hand, they’re far less likely to occur once you implement a “no shoes in the house” policy.
Cleaning Routine
It’s helpful to have a cleaning schedule to ensure that your floors are properly cared for. Regularly going over them with a dust mop to remove dirt and grime is important and every week or so they should be vacuumed (on a hardwood floor setting) for a deeper clean. Additionally, gentle cleaning products specifically designed for hardwoods can be applied every couple of months.
Furniture Pads
There’s nothing worse than moving a piece of furniture only to see that it’s damaged your floors with an unsightly ring imprint. The reality, though, is that even the hardest of hardwoods can get marked up by furniture. That’s why it’s always a good idea to use furniture pads and create a layer of protection to prevent any scratches that can occur when rearranging furniture or simply through everyday use.
Refinish and Recoat
For long term care, hardwood floors should usually be recoated with a fresh layer of finish every couple of years in order to maintain their luster and keep them well protected. In the event that your floors have deep scratches that go into the actual wood, then they may need to be sanded down and completely refinished, which is a more significant undertaking than simply recoating them.
