The beauty of hardwood floors can last for many decades if you follow a simple and consistent maintenance regimen. Improper care of your wood floors can cause damage to the finish and result in expensive repairs, so it’s important to follow standard cleaning methods. The home improvement experts at Brincks Construction and Cabinet Company, located in Northeast Iowa, share some expert tips on how to keep your hardwood floors clean and well maintained.

5 Home Improvement Tips to Clean Hardwood Floors

1. Dry Mop Daily

Use a fringed microfiber pad to dry mop your hardwood floors every day.  The static cling effect of a microfiber dry mop will gently collect dirt and abrasives. Avoid using a broom, which often pushes dirt and grit around the floor, causing surface scratches. 

2. Vacuum Weekly

Vacuum the floor and baseboards once per week, using the vacuum’s “floor setting.”  The hose attachment can vacuum crevasses and areas around the baseboard where dust and dirt can become trapped.

3. Clean Monthly

To keep your hardwood floors looking their best, clean once a month with a wood floor cleaner recommended by your home improvement contractor or floor manufacturer. Spills should be wiped up immediately with a damp cloth. Avoid using a wet mop on wood floors, as it will dull the finish over time. Cleaning with vinegar or ammonia will cause long-term damage to the wood finish, so avoid those methods, and stick with the approved wood flooring cleaner.

 4. Use Protective Rugs

To prevent scratching, scuffs, and marks from ruining the floor, place rug runners at all door entrances and other high-traffic areas. Rug dyes can stain your wood flooring, so use natural fiber rugs free of dyes.

5. Sand & Refinish

Sanding and refinishing your hardwood floors is dependent on your preferences and wood condition. The industry standard for sanding and refinishing is every two to three decades.

Brincks Construction and Cabinet Company provides high-quality remodeling services to customers in La Crosse, WI, Rochester, MN, and Cedar Rapids, IA. Call the experienced team at (866) 847-3202 to schedule a consultation to discuss your home improvement projects. You can also visit them online to learn more their custom cabinet installation, house repair, and custom home construction services.