Hardwood floors are absolutely beautiful if they are cared for properly. Thankfully, maintaining the beauty of your hardwood floors is relatively easy and doesn’t require too much effort from homeowners. At JJ Hardwood Floors, hardwood flooring care is something we know a good amount about!
In this article, we’re going to go over some of the tips and strategies homeowners can use to keep their hardwood flooring looking great for years to come, long after their hardwood floor installation!
The National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) asserts that:
“Proper maintenance is essential to keep wood floors looking beautiful and performing well for the floor’s lifetime. It will enhance the performance of the floor, will prolong the lifetime of the floor, will promote the long-term sustainability of raw materials, and ultimately, will protect your investment.”
Additionally, the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) provides advice on their website for homeowners to sweep or dust daily, vacuum weekly, and use a floor cleaning solution monthly.
To further elaborate, some of the best hardwood flooring care tips include:
Clean Spills Immediately
Avoid sopping wet or steam mops. It’s recommended to use a minimally damp cloth to wipe up any spills promptly. The NWFA states that mops that use steam or are too wet will cause irreparable damage to the flooring.
Since wood reacts to moisture by swelling and shrinking, it is vital to be mindful of the humidity levels you expose your floor too. If you don’t, cupping, splitting, and gaps can occur in your wood floor. You can prevent these damages from happening by:
- Cleaning up spills immediately
- Keep your home’s temperature at a moderate level (somewhere between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit)
- Keep the humidity levels in your home low (no more than 50% humidity)
- Don’t let wet shoes enter your home
Use Furniture Pads
Hardwood flooring scratches are unsightly and nearly impossible to remove from hardwood flooring. Some scratches may be inevitable, but most are avoidable. You can prevent scratches from marking up your hardwood floors by using furniture pads. Make sure your chairs, couches, tables, etc., all have pads to protect your floor.
Sweep or Dust Daily
Not only does sweeping or dusting daily help maintain the pristine condition of your hardwood floors, but it also makes your home hygienic. Even if you do not allow shoes into your home, dust will still materialize everywhere. It can settle between the floorboards and into the grain, which can cause damage if left unchecked. Sweeping and dusting daily is not only good for your floors, but it’s also good for your health– especially if you or your family members are allergy sufferers or have asthma.
Vacuum Weekly
Weekly vacuuming is key to maintaining the cleanliness of your home. Vacuums efficiently suck up any crumbs, dirt, and whatever else you may have missed while sweeping.
If vacuuming is not your thing, consider investing in a Roomba or some type of automatic vacuum system.
Use Wood Floor Cleaner Monthly
It is vital to use the right cleaning products for your hardwood floors. If you choose the wrong product, it could potentially destroy your floor. We recommend Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner, simply because Bona products, both commercial and residential, and the cream of the crop and can’t beat in our eyes!
Re-Finish Every 3 to 5 Years
“Over time, when your wood floors start to look a little dull, they can be renewed through recoating. This involves applying a new coat of wood floor finish,” the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) shares on their website.
We recommend hardwood floor refinishing services happen every 3 to 5 years, depending on the wear and tear the hardwood floors are subjected to. Everyone’s home will be different, so there’s no exact timeframe for every homeowner, but generally speaking, 3-5 years is recommended for most homes.
Keeping Your Floors Beautiful
If you follow these simple guidelines, your hardwood flooring will likely look great for generations to come. This schedule may seem a bit tedious, but protecting your investment is well worth the time and effort that goes into providing the proper hardwood flooring care.
Like a beautiful piece of art in your collection or a piece of antique furniture, a well-kept hardwood floor will only increase the beauty and value of your home!
To learn more about Boston hardwood floors, hardwood flooring care, or any of our services, please contact us.
