Hardwood floors are perhaps the most desired flooring option today. With an array of types, styles, and pattern options – it’s no wonder. They can transform the feeling of a space, offer softer underfoot sensations and just look amazing.
As flooring experts, we can’t help but love a great hardwood floor.
That being said, we often get asked about maintenance for hardwood. As the price point is typically higher than that of other options, like tile, ensuring quality care for your hardwoods is top-priority for many homeowners.
The good news: caring for your new hardwood floors is not as intimidating as you may think.
Create Some New Habits
There’s an old saying, that if you do something consistently for 30 days it becomes a habit. The best thing you can do for your hardwood floors is to sweep them daily. Even if they don’t look dirty, it’s the little things that can cause problems before you know it. Dust and dirt always find a way in, and debris on the bottoms of shoes can be as hard on your flooring as sandpaper. Follow up with a dust mop, or a dry microfiber mop to pick up any stray bits.
While sweeping the whole house daily isn’t going to work for everyone, going over entries and high traffic areas will help a lot. Regular vacuuming is a good idea as well – make sure the settings are correct for hard surfaces to avoid scratches. When it’s time, use a damp microfiber mop. Warm water (about 4 cups) mixed with a couple of drops of Murphy’s Oil Soap is a great, gentle solution.
Manage Moisture
For the same reasons that you don’t want to clean your hardwood floors with a sopping wet mop, it’s important to avoid too much moisture in your home’s environment. In the winter with heaters running our homes can get very dry. Using humidifiers will keep your floors happy and avoid any cracking or splitting.
Finally, recoat your floor’s finish with some regularity. This process doesn’t involve sanding, just refreshes the finish. If you have questions or need more specific help with your hardwood floors get in touch with us. We’re here to help.
