A simple tutorial on protecting hardwood floors from stains and damage.
Hardwood floors are gorgeous—but they require some upkeep to keep them that way. Here are 5 tips to help protect your hardwood flooring over time:
Use felt pads on chairs
Felt is a soft fabric that can be used to protect surfaces. You can buy felt pads for your furniture legs at any hardware store or online.
They are very easy to apply. Just make sure the chair legs are clean and dry, then peel off the adhesive backing from the felt and stick them on; it's that simple!
Keep your shoes clean
You'll need to take your shoes off at the door. While this can be a hard habit to adopt, especially if you're returning home tired after a long day at work, it's necessary if you want to keep your floors looking new. This is because many shoes have rough bottoms and heels that scuff up the floor when you walk around in them. Plus, your feet may pick up dirt and oil from other surfaces that will also leave marks on your floors.
It's also important not to wear shoes with spikes. No matter how sharp or dull they are, golf cleats, ice skates, and any pointed shoes will leave gouges in the wood if worn inside your home.
Similarly, do not wear wet or damp shoes inside of your home either as these might lead to water stains and damage to the wood finish on top of them.
Clean regularly
Cleaning hardwood floors regularly is an important part of maintaining their appearance and durability.
Sweep, vacuum or dust mop daily to remove dirt, grit and other abrasive particles that can scratch your floors’ finish.
Use a microfiber mop for damp mopping. A microfiber mop picks up more dust and dirt than traditional cleaning products, so you won’t have to clean as often. Use more water to deep clean or when you want to remove stains and grime from your hardwood floors.
The kind of vacuum cleaner you use on your hardwood floor also matters. If you have a large area of hardwood flooring, consider investing in a canister vacuum with brush attachment rather than an upright model with a beater bar (the revolving brush that whips dust into the suction). The beater bar can damage the finish on your hardwood floor over time by scratching it or removing the protective coatings.
And remember: Remove spills immediately with a dry cloth!
Clean spills ASAP, but don't overdo it or you'll wear out your sealant.
For starters, avoid walking on the hardwood with shoes that have a rough or metal bottom.
Remove your shoes when entering your home to keep dirt and debris off the floor.
Use rugs at doors to prevent water from rain and snow from entering the home.
Clean spills as soon as they occur with a dry cloth. Do not use towels when cleaning up spills because they can leave water rings.
Refrain from using any harsh chemicals such as vinegar, bleach, or ammonia to clean the floors because these can damage the finish of your hardwood floors.
Clean your floors regularly using a cleaning solution recommended by the manufacturer of your flooring if possible. Never use oil soap on hardwood floors because it leaves an oily residue that will dull its appearance over time. When vacuuming make sure you are using a vacuum without beater bars (the rotating brush under most vacuums). The beater bar is what causes scratches on wood floors and should be avoided at all costs!
No humidity, no problem
Unfortunately, wood is prone to expansion and contraction. For example, if you leave a piece of wood out on the porch during the summer and bring it inside when temperatures drop in winter, you’ll see how quickly it shrinks.
In fact, even moving your furniture around can cause damage to your floors! The shifting of its weight creates friction that results in scratches and scrapes. Given all this, it may seem like there’s no way to keep things safe. But don’t worry: there are ways you can protect your hardwood floors from harm.
You can make sure your hardwood floors last a long time.
Just like anything, you could invest in a product and then never use it, or you could use it occasionally, but using the wrong products on your floors can cause permanent damage. The good news is that we have outlined all the ways to protect your hardwood floors so you don’t have to spend months searching for the right stuff. Hardwood floors can last for a long time if you take care of them, so it makes sense to buy good quality products that will help with maintenance rather than spending money on substandard items - which will only ruin your flooring. By following our advice, you can make sure your hardwood floors last a lifetime.