Solid hardwood floors add a lot of character and charm to any home. In order for them to keep their shine and durability, they require regular maintenance and upkeep. If you want to keep your floor looking like new, here are some cleaning tips to add to your monthly routine.

4 Cleaning Tips to Keep Your Hardwood Floors Looking New

1. Sweep & Dust Daily

Solid wood flooring tends to show a lot of dust. Thankfully, this makes it extremely easy to sweep and discard the dust. For hardwood floors, you have several options when it comes to cleaning tools. You can use a soft-bristle broom, a hand broom and dustpan, a micro-fiber dust mop or a  vacuum that uses soft cloths to avoid scratches. Sweeping daily ensures that your floors remain clean, and your home is dust-free.

 

2. Use Felt Furniture Pads or Rugs

Wood floors are especially vulnerable to heavy furniture and chairs. You can help protect your floors and prevent deep scratches by placing felt or carpet pads under the legs. This is especially necessary for dining room chairs or bar stools that are constantly being moved around. Adding these pads also makes it easier to rearrange furniture and move things around so you can clean under these pieces. 

3. Clip Your Pet’s Nails

If you have furry friends running around, it’s important to trim their nails to keep them from scratching the surface of your hardwood floors. This can also eliminate the noise they make running across solid floors, which may echo throughout the house. Keep their nails trimmed, and you’ll avoid noticeable damage and scuffs. It can also ensure that you don’t have to polish the floors more often. 

4. Avoid Harsh Cleaners

Harsh chemicals can dull the look of your floors. Using soap and wax-based cleaners can also leave a residue when it dries. Heavy mopping and leaving the water to dry can warp and damage the floors overtime as well. Try DAMP mopping and a cleaner  that’s specifically made for solid hardwood such as Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner as needed.

Maintaining hardwood floors can be challenging if you have an active household. Over time, regular cleaning and mopping may not be enough to restore your floors like new. Let the team at JT’s Floor Refinishing in Springfield, MA, help. Whether you’re looking for a new floor installation or want to restore the floors you currently have, their team of experts is fully committed to delivering you quality service. To schedule an appointment or talk to a flooring expert, call (413) 788-6149. You can also visit their website for more cleaning and care tips.