The cost of hardwood flooring averages between $6 and $12 per square foot. At that rate, it can get pretty expensive to install it throughout a home. When you opt for hardwood floors, there are several maintenance practices you should become familiar with to keep your hardwood floors beautiful for years to come. This week, we’ve outlined a few of the best methods to care for hardwood floors.
Re-Finishing
If you notice your hardwood floors become a little dull, you can renew their shine through a thorough recoating. Depending on the level of wear and tear, a hardwood floor should be refinished every 3-5 years. Contact a local wood floor restoration company, or research how to DIY.
Use Pads
Scratches are a big issue with hardwood floors. Unfortunately, most furniture can cause pretty bad scratches when moved around in any capacity. Using furniture pads can help prevent this kind of damage and should be added to the legs of any tables, chairs, sofas, etc.
Protect Heavy Traffic Areas
Protecting heavily used areas, like the front hallways or kitchen, is easy with rugs and runners. High traffic is the #1 cause of wear and tear on hardwood, so decide what spaces are worth protecting and explore different design options for rugs.
Clean Spills
Cleaning up any spills as soon as they happen is key to not permanently staining hardwood. Avoid wet or steam mops to clean up messes, as they tend to cause more damage over time. Keeping your home between 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit will also help lessen the severity of spills over time.
Vacuum Weekly
Make it a point to emphasize vacuuming in your weekly cleaning routine. This will help ensure that any dirt, crumbs, or other debris doesn’t scratch your floor over time. Don’t feel like vacuuming yourself? Consider investing in a Roomba.
Use Wood Floor Cleaner Monthly
Here are a few of our recommendations:
- Black Diamond Stoneworks Wood & Laminate Floor Cleaner
- Murphy Oil Soap Wood Cleaner
- Swiffer WetJet Hardwood Floor Cleaner & Mopping Starter Kit
- Aunt Fannie’s Hardwood Floor Cleaner
- Pledge Floor Cleaner
Conclusion
We hope we were able to educate you on how to take the best care of your hardwood floors. Want to install a new floor or have more questions about care? Contact us today!