Information on Maintaining Hardwood Floors

If you have thought about changing your flooring and have decided on hardwood flooring then you have made a great choice, but your hardwood floors will need to be maintained. Hardwood flooring is made from mature trees, and is treated when it is finished. But hardwood will absorb moisture and also scratch if something is dragged across it.

Leaving a puddle of water in your hardwood floors would not be a great idea. The moisture will go into the cracks in between the slates and they will swell as they absorb the water. If water happens to be spilt in even a small spot and sits it can still be seen. If there happens to be any liquid at all spilt on the hardwood floor you need to clean it up immediately. Use a damp mop only when you clean your hardwood floors. There are also floor cleaners that are specially formulted for hardwood floors that you could use, like old floors usually. Whatever you choose you must use only a damp mop.

Dents and aslo scratches happen to hardwood floors often. High heels are torture to hardwood floors. Over time any furniture legs can dent or scratch the floors. It might be an idea to add some area rugs under your furniture or there are also felts available that go directly under the furniture legs. This can be the same as area rugs to many people. You may also choose to add area rugs to any areas that are highly traveled in your house.

Some homeowners like the character that scratches and dents give the floor. If you have a lot of dents and scratches then it is an option to have your hardwood floors refinished. If you have your hardwood floors refinished every decade or so and keep on top of protecting your hardwood floors, they will look the best, just like old floors usually. Everything you do from moving furniture to allowing your dog to roam in the house will affect your hardwood floors.