If you know how to take care of your hardwood floors, they can last for generations, and this, alongside their hardiness, is what makes them so beautiful. This is why they are gaining in popularity, and more and more people are investing in them. However, you need to know how to take care of them, because you can ruin them even though if it takes a lot of really damage them. You need to take care of them and clean them properly to make them worth their cost. So, without further ado, let’s learn how to take care of your hardwood.

How to protect them?

Knowing how to protect your floors is the first thing you need to know when it comes to hardwood floors, and this will make you make the most out of your investment. Here are some tips to take care of it:

• Clean them properly: Sweep your hardwood floors regularly and if water or any other liquid falls, clean them up immediately because this might damage them in the long run. Use soft brooms on them to avoid any scratches and never, and I can’t tell you how important this is, never use acrylics or urethane cleaners on them. When buying a cleaner, make sure to read the label to know if it is safe to use it on your hardwood floors. Another quick tip, when you are using a new product, test it out on a part of the hardwood floor that is not visible. This helps you know how the cleaner works and if it’s suitable for your floor.

• Maintain them: For the love of everything holy and good in this world, read the instruction manual when you buy your hardwood floors. Get familiar with the guideline and maintain your floors as instructed.
• Consider an additional layer of protection: In high-traffic areas, where people come and go regularly, you might consider using a mat or rug to protect that specific area from the wear and tear of our soles. Avoid using mats or rugs that have rubber backings and rubber no-slip treads, but rather, opt for a combination of felt and rubber pad which is gentler to the floors. This avoids any additional friction on your hardwood floors.

Things that can damage hardwood floor

Although hardwood floors are made to last for a long time, and a lot of things can damage them. It can happen with common issues, which include:

• Furniture: Everything you sit on your furniture or the legs of your chairs or sofas, they can dig into the wood and leave scratches and even leave gouges. If you place your furniture pads under all your furniture and on all furniture legs, check on them regularly, and make sure they are still on correctly and have not fallen off.
• Sunlight: If your floor is in direct sunlight, it can get damaged by UV lights and can cause the floor to fade and discoloration. This can create an uneven look since the area near the window will be most affected and will not look similar to the rest of the floor. You can opt for Low-E windows or even tinted windows to alleviate the harsh effect of the sun and UV light on your hardwood floor.
• Moving: Whenever you are moving any item of furniture is a high-risk situation for any hardwood floor because if you are too rash with it, you can scratch your floor. Dropping something heavy on the floor can cause indentations while dragging heavy objects or furniture might leave them gouged. When moving, always lift your furniture completely off the floor and set it out gently to avoid any damage. Use a heavy blanket under your furniture that is too heavy to lift, and with this, you can easily drag them from one place to the other.

• Pets: Your little munchkin’s nail can cause scratches to your flooring, and this can make your floor look dull and damaged over time. Trimming your pets’ nails every time you hear them ticking on the floor is an excellent way to avoid scratching; this is not only good for your floors but also keeps your pets healthy, and it makes sure that they look their best at all-time.

Choosing quality hardwood floors designed for your specific lifestyle and ensuring that the floor looks their best for a long time. Before you buy any hardwood floor, ask for a sample and test the one that best fits your needs and is also right for your budget. Sound off in the comments section below and tell us if you have hardwood floors.