Protect Hardwood Floors: 9 Easy Maintenance Tips in 2022

Introduction

Hardwood floors are an exquisite addition to any abode, and a significant investment. Hence, protecting them is paramount. Fortunately, with adequate Tender Loving Care (TLC), hardwood floors can serve for extended periods.

In this blog, we present nine simple and effective tips that guarantee your hardwood floors maintain their impeccable look. From sweeping and mopping to repairing scratches and spillages, we have all the solutions. Continue reading to learn how to preserve your hardwood floors.

Simple Tips for Protecting Your Floors From Damage

Hardwood floors are a beautiful and durable addition to any home, but they require special care to keep them looking their best. Here are some tips for protecting your hardwood floors from damage:

• Sweep or vacuum regularly to remove dirt and debris
• Use mats at entryways to trap dirt and moisture
• Place felt pads under furniture legs to prevent scratching
• Avoid using harsh chemicals or cleaners on your floors
• Don't allow water to sit on the surface of your floors for too long
• Buff out scratches and scuffs with a soft cloth

If you want to know more, continue reading :)

How to protect hardwood floors?

1. Vacuum regularly

Assuming you have a busy household with kids and pets running around, your hardwood floors are going to need some regular maintenance to stay in good condition. The best way to protect them is to vacuum regularly.

You should vacuum at least once a week, and more if you have the time. A good vacuum will pick up all the dirt, dust, and pet hair that can get ground into your floors and cause damage. It's also important to sweep or mop before you vacuum so that you don't just push the dirt around.

For high-traffic floor areas, increase vacuuming frequency or use mats and rugs to prevent wear and tear.

2. Dust mop often

Frequently dust mopping is highly effective in maintaining the quality of hardwood floors. Regular use of dust mops is essential in collecting dirt and debris to prevent damage to your floors. For busy households, daily dust mopping is ideal, while less busy homes can get away with it every few days. Ensure you dust mop the entire floor, including under furniture and in corners, using a soft brush attachment on a vacuum to access hard-to-reach areas.

3. Use doormats and area rugs

Using doormats and area rugs is an effective means of safeguarding your hardwood floors. Such coverings help accumulate any dirt, sand, or debris that can scratch or gouge the floor. It is crucial to have doormats at every entry point and vacuum or sweep area rugs frequently to avoid build-up.

4. Wipe up spills immediately

Swift action to clean spills is among the best methods of safeguarding your hardwood floors. Delay in wiping even small spills can cause significant harm. Utilize a soft cloth or paper towel to absorb the fluid, and subsequently dab the spot dry. In some situations, it may be necessary to use a mild cleaning solution to eliminate any remaining residue.

5. Keep pet nails trimmed

To preserve the quality of your hardwood floors, it is best to keep your pets' nails trimmed. Untrimmed nails are prone to cause scratches and other damage to the floor. Moreover, untrimmed nails can hook on to carpets and fabrics, causing wear and tear.

To avert such damages, it is recommended to regularly clip your pet's nails. You can either engage a professional groomer or veterinarian or perform it yourself using a nail clipper. In either case, keeping your pet's nails trimmed is a crucial aspect of hardwood floor protection.

6. Put pads on furniture feet

To safeguard your hardwood flooring, a highly recommended practice is to install furniture pads on their feet. This move effectively avoids scratches and dents while enabling stress-free movement of your furniture. With multiple pad types to select from, pick the one fitting your needs for optimal results.

7. Avoid walking on hardwood floors with street shoes

Protecting your hardwood floors is paramount, and avoiding walking on them with street shoes is one of the best ways to do so. This encourages a scratch and damage-free environment that is durable over time. Wearing socks or slippers while moving around a house is prudent to conserve the floor's state. However, if one can't avoid wearing shoes indoors, it is expedient to take them off without delay to forestall unnecessary damage.

8. Reapply wax and sealant as needed

To maintain the durability of your hardwood floors, it's essential to reapply sealant and wax as they age. Follow these tips to get started:

1. Start by cleaning the floor to ensure there is no dirt or debris. This is crucial because any dirt accumulation will compromise the outcome of the wax or sealant application.
2. When applying the wax or sealant, do so evenly throughout the floor. Failing to cover all areas will leave your floors exposed to damage.
3. Allow the wax or sealant to dry entirely before walking on the floor. It's a waiting game that usually lasts for several hours, hence it's paramount to be patient.
4. Finally, enjoy your newly safeguarded hardwood floors!

9. Professional hardwood floor cleaning

Suppose your hardwood floors presently exhibit dreary outlooks that require adept attention. In that case, some crucial considerations must be underscored before hiring a floor cleaning service. Primary among these are the cleaning mechanisms applied. Typically, most professionals utilize either a rotary brush or an orbital sander, whose operations can generate tremendous noise and considerable dust. Therefore, it is imperative to inquire whether the floor cleaning company deploys any containment system to preclude the spread of dust within your home.

Equally important is their choice of cleaning agents. It is common knowledge that certain cleaning solutions can have severe harmful impacts on hardwood floors if misused. For this reason, it is crucial to ascertain that the floor cleaning service selected ships eco-friendly cleaners, and they have an established track record in hardwood floor cleaning.

Ultimately, it is vital to feel at ease with the hired company, primarily based on reference points and corroborative online feedback. By sticking to these fundamental guidelines, you can rest assured of the extended longevity of your hardwood floors.

The Do's of Floor Maintenance

When it comes to floor maintenance, there are a few key things you can do to keep your hardwood floors looking great for years to come. Here are a few tips:

• Sweep or vacuum regularly : This will help remove any dirt or dust that could scratch your floors' surface.
• Use mats or rugs at entryways : This will help to trap dirt and moisture before it has a chance to reach your floors.
• Avoid walking on wet floors : Water can damage hardwood floors, so be sure to wipe up any spills immediately.
• Don't use harsh chemicals : When cleaning your floors, avoid using harsh chemicals or cleaners that could potentially damage the finish.

The Don'ts of Floor Maintenance

There are a few things you should avoid doing if you want to keep your hardwood floors looking their best. Here are some floor maintenance no-nos:

• Don't let dirt and dust accumulate – regular sweeping and vacuuming will help to remove dirt and dust before it has a chance to scratch or dull the finish of your floors.
• Don't use harsh chemicals or cleaners – avoid using harsh chemicals or cleaners on your hardwood floors, as they can damage the finish. Instead, use a mild soap and water solution or a specialized hardwood floor cleaner.
• Don't soak up spills with paper towels – when spills happen, blot them up with a clean cloth instead of scrubbing or soaking them up with paper towels. Scrubbing can damage the finish of your floors, and paper towels can leave behind lint or other debris.
• Don't walk on your floors with dirty shoes – clean shoes will help to prevent dirt and debris from being tracked onto your hardwood floors. If possible, take off your shoes when entering your home to help keep your floors clean.

By following these simple tips, you can help to protect your hardwood floors and keep them looking their best for years to come!

The Best Way to Clean Hardwood Floors

Assuming you're talking about polyurethane-finished hardwood floors:

The optimal means of cleaning them is by commencing with a soft bristled broom sweep. Subsequently, it's essential to vacuum the floors while using the gentlest setting. Proceed to mop the floor with a microfiber mop and slightly dampened mop head, ensuring that excess water isn't used, as this action can hurt the timber. Finally, wipe the surface dry with a spotless towel.

Protect hardwood floor during construction

If you're embarking on a construction project, it's important to take measures to protect your hardwood floors. Construction can be a messy and disruptive process, so it's important to take steps to safeguard your floors.

Here are some easy tips to follow:

• Cover the floors with drop cloths or plastic sheeting. This will help catch any debris or dirt that may fall during the construction process.
• Make sure workers wear shoe covers or booties when entering the home. This will help prevent tracking in dirt and mud.
• Place mats at all entrances to absorb any moisture that may be brought in on shoes.
• Remove any nails or staples that may fall during construction. These can damage hardwood floors if not removed promptly.
• Use SPRITESHIELD temporary floor protection.

Following these simple tips can help protect your hardwood floors during construction.

Floor Protection Products

If you have hardwood floors, you know how important it is to protect them. Your hardwood floors can last a lifetime with the right maintenance and care. But if you're not careful, they can also become damaged and scratched.

That's why it's important to use the right floor protection products. Here are a few of our favorite floor protection products that will keep your hardwood floors looking like new:

1. Furniture Pads : These pads stick to the bottom of your furniture and help prevent scratches when you move them around.
2. Rugs and Mats : The placement of area rugs and mats in high-traffic zones can significantly lessen the incidence of wear and tear on your hardwood floors.
3. Door Mats : Deploying doormats at every entrance point of your habitat will aid in entrapping dirt, sand, and other detritus that pose a risk of damaging your floors.
4. Boot Trays : Boot trays near entryways provide a place for storing wet or muddy shoes, so they don't track dirt and debris onto your hardwood floors.
5. Vacuum Cleaner with Soft Brush Attachment : A vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment is the best way to clean hardwood floors without damaging them.

Conclusion

By following these 9 tips, you can help protect your hardwood floors and keep them looking their best for years to come. Whether regularly sweeping or using mats at every entrance, a little effort goes a long way in preserving your floors.

What other tips do you have for keeping hardwood floors clean and protected? Let us know in the comments below!

SPRITESHIELD shares the floor protections tips as expert.

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