Don't worry, it's not necessary to invest a whole lot of time and effort in hardwood floor upkeep! Just follow a few simple hardwood care and maintenance tips to ensure your new floor's longevity.
Daily care and maintenance
Sweep, dust, or vacuum the floor regularly with the hard floor attachment (not the beater bar) to prevent the accumulation of dirt or grit that can scratch or dull the floor finish.
Occasionally wipe the floor with a damp mop or cloth.
Good quality entry and exit mats will help collect the dirt, sand, grit, and other substances such as oil, asphalt, or driveway sealer that can otherwise be tracked onto your flooring. Do not use rubber- or foam-backed plastic mats as they may discolor the flooring.
Maintain an average indoor relative humidity level between 45 and 65% throughout the year to minimize wood's natural expansion and contraction.
Don't walk on your flooring with stiletto-style heels, spiked golf shoes, or cleats. They may cause indentations in your flooring.
Stains and spills
Sometimes, accidents happen! It doesn't matter how careful you are, you'll probably encounter a few. Be prepared with our guide.
Use a damp cloth to blot spills and spots as soon as they happen. For tough spots, such as oil, paint, markers, lipstick, ink, tar, or cigarette marks, use acetone/nail polish remover on a clean white cloth, then wipe with a damp cloth.
For spots like candle wax or chewing gum, harden the spot with ice and then gently scrape with a plastic scraper, such as a credit card. Be careful not to scratch the flooring surface. Wipe clean with a damp cloth.
