Hardwood flooring is a great way to enhance the classic elegance or modern simplicity of your interior. But many homeowners are put off due to a lack of experience caring for the material. While it can be slightly more challenging than vacuuming a carpet, as long as you’re conscientious not to scratch it, it’s actually quite straightforward to care for.

How to Clean Hardwood Flooring

For daily cleaning, all you'll need is a dust mop or beater-free vacuum cleaner. Both are sufficient to lift dust and dirt off your floor, and by doing so gently and regularly, you prevent the surface from accumulating scratches.

Periodically, your floor will need a once-over with a liquid cleaner too. You can use a homemade mixture of ten cups of warm water, one cup of vinegar, and a few drops of liquid soap. Otherwise, choose a product designed for use on wood. You'll need to go over the surface twice with a damp sponge mop or a rag: once with the cleaning product, and once with water to remove it. Then dry it with a towel, so the water doesn't soak in.

Preventing & Removing Scratches

Aside from cleaning up dirt and grit as soon as they appear, one of the best ways you can protect a hardwood floor is with area rugs and doormats. These limit the amount of dirt tracked in from outside and the number of feet which scuff high-traffic areas. You can also place padding on the bottom of furniture legs to prevent them from scraping.

If you do end up with scratches, you have two problems. First, there will be a difference in color which will stand out, and second, the wood inside the crack is exposed, making it vulnerable to water. To deal with the color difference, you can stain the wood with a teabag or use an oil-based paint, then protect the scratch with varnish or wax. Alternately, you can address both at the same time by rubbing the scratch with an appropriately colored crayon, then buffing away the excess wax. Either way, the scratch will be nearly invisible and the underlying wood effectively sealed.

Don't let the idea of maintenance prevent you from getting the aesthetic of your dreams. A-1 Linoleum & Carpet Inc. is your source for hardwood flooring in Lincoln, NE, and the surrounding areas. Whether you want carpet, linoleum, tile, or hardwood, they'll supply and install what you need. To start on your project, call them at (402) 464-3125 or look through their photo gallery online for ideas.