Hardwood flooring presents an elegant and timeless appearance wherever it’s installed, but keeping it smooth and beautiful can be a challenge since it’s prone to scratching. While there’s no way to completely avoid coming across some scratches over time, proper care and maintenance can greatly reduce the amount and severity of scratches that occur. JT’s Floor Refinishing offers Springfield, MA, residents high-quality floor installation and refinishing work that is meant to last.

To keep your wood floor in the best condition possible, the company recommends taking the following steps:

• Stay on a Regular Cleaning Schedule: Dirt and grit are the top causes of scratched wood floors. To make sure this isn’t the case in your house, maintain a regular cleaning schedule that eliminates particle buildup. It’s just as essential to clean the outside of your home to limit the amount of debris that gets brought in.

• Kick Off Your Shoes: Consider creating a no-shoes policy in the house, since it’s easy to track in dirt and other debris on the soles. It’s especially important not to walk on hardwood floors with any shoes that have a heel or hard point. 
• Utilize Furniture Pads: The heavy weight of furniture can leave distinct marks on hardwood flooring, and their legs can scratch as they scrape across the surface. Felt pads are designed to prevent this from happening.
• Place Down Rugs & Walk-Off Mats: Strategically placing rugs in high-traffic areas and walk-off mats at all the entry doors will help to keep potentially damaging elements from touching your wood floors. This is one of the best ways to protect your flooring investment.
• Trim Your Pet’s Claws: Cats and dogs can be detrimental to hardwood floors, but fortunately, you don’t have to give them up just to keep your floors looking nice. Keep their nails trimmed down so they don’t scratch the floors just by walking around. 

The more you implement these practices, the longer you can expect your hardwood flooring to remain scratch-free. Contact JT’s Floor Refinishing at (860) 292-1806 or (413)788-6149, or visit their website for additional advice on caring for your wood floor.