We all agree that nothing is worse than finding your first scratch or dent on your brand new floor. Knowing all floors will patina over time with light scratches and dents, we thought it time to share a list of do’s and don’ts to help with maintaining your floors and ease you through the transition. Wood floors are made from a natural material that is constantly affected by its environment. This includes foot traffic, pets, maintenance materials, etc.  We believe that a well maintained floor is an investment, and good news, it is pretty easy to keep up with your hardwood!

Heirloom: Natural - Walnut

Here are 9 Hardwood Do’s and Don’ts:

  • DO keep a mat at the entrance to your home. This helps keeps dirt to a minimum. “Just imagine having sandpaper on the bottom of your shoes. That’s what it’s like walking in from the street and onto your hardwood floors,” – HuffPost Home Article
  • DO vacuum and sweep the floor often to prevent dirt from building up and scratching the wood.
  • DON’T use the wrong vacuum attachments. Be sure to ask your dealer/manufacturer which vacuum attachments will work best for your floor in order to prevent any scratches or gouges.
  • DON’T use a steam mop or bucket of sudsy water to mop hardwood floors. This method is fine for linoleum and tile, but it could permanently damage wood floors. Water is a wood floor’s biggest enemy.
  • DO keep your pets’ nails trimmed. Hardwood is pet friendly, but your dog’s nails may ruin your finish and eventually your floors if they go untrimmed.
  • DON’T allow pet stains remain untreated.  If your kitty has an accident on your wood floor, be sure and address the issue immediately.  If the accident occurs on a rug, make sure to clean and dry both the rug and the wood floor underneath the accident.
  • DON’T soak your floor with water or cleaning solutions. This could cause the wood to warp. Also, always wipe up any water or cleaner immediately to prevent permanent spots.
  • DO invest in furniture pads. Each time you sit down on the couch it slides a little bit which can cause wear and damage over time.
  • DO double check the hardwood manufacturer’s instructions and cleaning tips for best results.

Silverado Thyme Room Scene by Hallmark Floors

We hope you found these hardwood do’s and don’ts helpful!

Please don’t procrastinate with maintaining your floors. Continuous maintenance is always recommended to prevent unnecessary wear and tear. If you notice anything concerning in regard to your floor please contact the dealer in which you purchased your Hallmark Floors product immediately so they can help you address the issue. You can find more maintenance information here. 

Need to contact the closest Hallmark Floors dealer? Use our locator! 

 

 

Sources:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/13/hardwood-floor-damage_n_5120821.html
http://www.arboritec.com/wood-floor-tips/10-things-to-never-do-to-a-wood-floor/
http://www.clean-organized-family-home.com/cleaning-floors.html#sthash.awPv2dUK.dpbs