Hardwood floors make a timeless addition to any household, offering benefits such as aesthetic value, hypoallergenic properties, low maintenance, and longevity. However, while hardwood floor surfaces are durable, they are not impervious to scratches. Here, review tips for keeping your wood flooring in superb condition.

Do:

Add rugs and rug pads.

Protect hardwood floors with rugs of varying shapes and sizes, and use runners in high traffic areas such as foyers and hallways. Put down rug pads before you arrange the rugs since their backings can create scratches if they slide underfoot, which can also cause injuries. Pads also provide extra cushioning, so it’s comfortable to walk on both your rugs and hardwood floors.

Use furniture pads.

Affix felt pads to the undersides of your furniture to keep pieces you frequently move from scratching the hardwood. Never drag pieces across your wood floors or use furniture with rollers, as they pick up dirt, dust, and other particles that etch the flooring when they roll. Maintain clean floors with hardwood cleaning products to further minimize the risk of damage.

Don’t:

Let dog claws grow long.

Trim your dog’s claws if applicable. Unlike cat claws, which remain retracted unless they are in use, dog claws stay on the outside of the animals’ paws at all times. Buff the claws after trimming, or place nail covers over them to avoid hardwood scratches. You can also use baby gates to section off areas of your home with hardwood that you do not want the dog to enter.

Skip refinishing services.

Schedule sanding and refinishing every three to five years, depending on the amount of foot traffic your home receives. Sanding and refinishing services remove scratches and other marks to keep hardwood floors looking pristine. Avoid applying polyurethane in between refinishing services if your floors are pre-finished since it will remove aluminum oxide and increase the flooring’s susceptibility to scratches. 

Get your hardwood floors sanded and refinished by Flooring Specialists, one of Hawaii’s oldest flooring contractors. Based in Honolulu, the company also offers an extensive inventory of flooring products, including tile, linoleum, and carpet. Call (808) 842-7755 today to schedule a free estimate or visit the company with a 25-year history online for more information.