There’s a reason why hardwood flooring is the most highly-requested flooring type for homeowners in the United States—it’s beautiful, durable, and totally customizable. With all the wood types, finishes and the un-beatable longevity, it’s an unbeatable investment.
Do all homeowners maintain their hardwood floors like they should? No. But a lot of that comes down to not knowing any better.
It’s one of our missions at Valor to make sure our O’Fallon, Belleville, Edwardsville, Collinsville and neighboring area homeowners have all the resources they need to get the most out of their homes. And so, buckle up for the Valor Home Services hardwood floor leaning “dos” and “don’ts.”
Don’ts
DON’T: Wet mop. Letting water sit on your floor longer than a minute is the worst thing you can do for it.
DON’T: Clean with hot water. Letting hot water does the same amount of damage if you had left water sitting for minutes on end, because it penetrates the wood in a flash.
DON’T: Use oil, wax or citrus-based cleaners. Call me, personally, to see what type of cleaner is best for your species of wood.
DON’T: Use steel wool. Wow! This one’s just a “no.”
DON’T: Use Vinegar or ammonia. These are great household cleaners, but will strip your hardwood floors.
Hardwood flooring Dos
DO: Add floor protectors. (I can’t say this one enough.) Keeping floors of any age in good condition means using protectors on the bottom of any furniture.
DO: Use mats at every outdoor-facing door. You know what we tend to track in from outside, especially in the winter. Protect your floors with this simple and essential step.
DO: Sweep often (once a week for low-traffic areas and once daily for high-traffic). Those little bits of debris staying off your floor will save it from an untold number of scratches
DO:Contact me, Bill Wilson, if you have any doubts or questions. That’s right! I have more tips for you, and I’d love to share them with you.
