Hardwood Floor Protection Tips

If you have a hardwood floor, are you protecting it properly? Solid hardwood and engineered wood flooring are both gorgeous and durable. While they have a reputation for toughness, they can seem impervious to all manner of abuse. But without proper care, your hardwood flooring will look faded and worn over time. Protecting and maintaining your hardwood floor is vital to a long and beautiful life.

Here are some simple, inexpensive tips for protecting your hardwood floor to help keep them looking their best year after year.

Moisture is the enemy
Let’s get this out of the way early: moisture is your hardwood flooring’s number one enemy. Hardwood floors are made from organic material the cellular structure of which responds immediately to the presence of water. This starts with distortion of the wood’s shape by irreversible swelling, and if allowed to continue will result in decay and rot of the wood. Because of this, you should control the following as much as possible:
Don’t clean with water
Most flooring experts, recommend that you never use any kind of water on your hardwood. Instead, use a soft-bristled broom and dustpan to clean your floors daily. Once a week use a vacuum designed for both hardwood floor and carpet.
Quickly clean up spills
Hardwood flooring isn’t waterproof like vinyl or tile, so you’ll need to clean up spills and pooled liquids immediately. Spilled liquids should be cleaned up quickly by blotting with a clean towel. It’s also a good idea to place mats that can absorb liquid near doors to catch dirt and moisture.
Maintain appropriate humidity
Since humidity is simply moisture in the air inside your home, it can affect your hardwood floors. Humidity that is too high as often occurs in summer, may result in the wood boards cupping. As the boards absorb the excess moisture from the air, they expand and curl up at the edges. Humidity that is too low results in the wood boards contracting, which leaves gaps between boards. Avoid both of these situations by using your HVAC system to monitor your humidity and keep it at 35-55% year-round.
Strategic floor coverings
Mats, rugs, and runners can help protect your hardwood floors. This may seem like defeating the purpose of even having hard floors in the first place. However, placing mats and rugs in strategic locations, like areas of high foot traffic, can help preserve that beautiful hardwood finish. As mentioned above, placing a mat at each of your entryways can help catch dirt and water. Mudrooms are also good candidates for a rug. Next up are well-traveled interior hallways, as well as the spots in your kitchen or living room that are zones of high foot travel. Be sure to pick no-slip rugs and mats if possible to help prevent slipping accidents.
Keep it clean
If you don’t already, it might be a good time to institute a “no shoes in the house” rule. Shoes, boots, sandals, and even paws deposit all manner of debris on your hardwood floors. Small rocks, dirt, and sand are some of the worst offenders. Left for too long, they can slowly abrade your floor’s topcoat surface. Even sliding a cardboard box across the floor can wear and dull your beautiful hardwood. Clean the visible debris from your floors immediately and be sure to vacuum regularly to remove the smaller particles, which could be more damaging.
Use the right cleaning products
It’s vital to use products for cleaning your hardwood floors that are designed to bring out their best and won’t damage them. First, here are a few examples of what not to use:
Diluted vinegar will dull the floor’s finish
Soap-based cleaners with leave a residue that damages over time
Steam-clean violates the “no moisture” rule and the heat makes it even worse
Which products are appropriate for cleaning hardwood floors? First, be sure to have a good quality broom, dust mop, and standard mop. For cleaning products, look for ones that:
Are specifically designed to be safe for hardwood floors
Do not leave a residue
Are safe for use around kids and pets
Is appropriate for your floor: sealed floors required different cleaners than unsealed ones