Care of Your New Wood Floor

We are often asked, "Is it difficult to care for a wood floor?" It is not, especially with today's aluminum oxide prefinished wood flooring. In fact, wood flooring is easier to take care of than carpeting. While you should always defer to the manufacturer's specific instructions when it comes to caring for your new wood floor, below are some general guidelines regarding the general care and maintenance of wood flooring. 

• Cleaning your hardwood floor is simple-dirt and dust are easily removed with a vacuum featuring a hard-surface attachment. Make sure the beater-bar is turned off or use a broom. Grit control is your best defense to keep a wood floor looking great for many years.
• For more difficult to remove dirt or stains, use a cloth lightly moistened with plain water. Then wipe the surface with a clean, dry cloth. Under no circumstances should the floor ever be wet-mopped.
• Heavier stains such as crayon, felt-tip markers, etc., may be removed with a standard wood floor cleaner, specifically designated for Aluminum Oxide finishes. We recommend using Bona X Swedish Formula Hardwood Floor Cleaner.
• Hardwood flooring needs no special treatment. Never use soap solutions, sealers, polishes or any other abrasive materials. Doing so may void the manufacturer's warranty!
• Protect the flooring in high traffic areas and from excessive tracking of outside dirt and soil with walk-off mats at all entrances. Rubber mats should be avoided as they can oxidize the finish and result in discoloration.
• Hardwood is a natural product that is affected by light over time. Some woods will get darker with exposure to light, others lighter. If possible, rearrange rugs and furniture periodically to help minimize the effect that sunlight and direct lighting can have on the color tones of the hardwood floor.
• Always use quality floor protectors such as felt pads beneath furniture legs to help protect the floor's finish and surface.
• Hardwood flooring is best maintained in a balanced room climate with a 30%-50% relative humidity at a normal room temperature (60-80 degrees Fahrenheit).
• Chemical spills such as acids, alkalis or petrochemicals should be removed immediately. The floor should then be cleaned with a wood cleaner and dried with a soft absorbent cloth to prevent any residue from remaining on the flooring surface.
• If you have a pet, sometimes they have accidents. Urine, feces or vomit can discolor or stain a wood floor. This material should be cleaned up as quickly as possible using a cloth lightly moistened with plain water. Any material left in the floor's bevels can be cleaned out with a plain wood toothpick. Then wipe dry with a clean, dry cloth. 
• If you have any questions, call us! (click here for Contact Us page or look below.)