Floor Care

Maintenance and Care Tips

• Placing doormats at entrances to your home will help minimize the spread of dirt and grit that can damage your floors.  Dirt and grit can cause indentations and scratches in your floors, and with the strategic placement of doormats in your home, you can minimize this common problem. Remember to clean doormats regularly.
• Always lift furniture when moving it, never drag it against your floors.  Placing felt pads under legs of all furniture will prevent scratches and scuffing from occurring.  Periodically clean the felt tips as dirt and grit can get caught there as well.
• Avoid wearing high heels on your wood floors.  The pressure from an average woman walking in high heels can be up to 8000lbs per square inch, and cause small indentations and dents in your floor.
• In kitchens, place mats at areas where spills are frequent, such as the sink, stove, or refrigerator.
• Direct exposure to sunlight can result in discoloration of some woods and finishes.  Move area rugs often, and drape or shade large windows to minimize exposure to the sun.
• Make sure finish is properly cured prior to placing rugs or rug pads onto newly finished floors.  Some finishes may take up to 90 days to properly cure.  If floor is not properly cured, rugs may cause discoloration in finish.
• Trim and file your pet’s nails regularly to minimize scratches to your floors.  Make sure that the dog’s toys do not have sharp corners or edges that can scratch your floors.
• Always wipe spills up as soon as they happen with a dry cloth or paper towel.  Be sure to always wipe floor thoroughly dry.  Use a damp cloth for sticky spills.
• Vacuum and dust mop your floors regularly.  Never pour water on your floor to clean floors or use a wet mop.  Do not use vinyl, tile, or ammonia products to clean your floors.  Do not use oil soaps to clean your floors.  Only use the finish manufacturer’s recommended floor cleaner.
• Use of a humidifier throughout the winter season will keep natural seasonal wood shrinkage and movement to a minimum.