Hardwood floors can add elegance and beauty to a home if they are properly cared for. While some people assume that hardwood is easier to clean hardwood than carpet, there is an art to keeping your hardwood floors looking pristine. Here are a few tips to care for your hardwood floors properly so that you can keep your home looking spotless all year long.

Dust or Vacuum Your Hardwood Floors Daily

Hardwood floors collect and show dust really easily and therefore should be cleaned almost daily. Companies such as Cleaning World of NJ recommend that if you opt to use a broom to clean your floors, we recommend using a pre-treated microfiber dusting mop. This collects dust really well and will prevent your floors from getting scratched.

You can also use a vacuum to clean your hardwood floors. The key when using a vacuum is to turn your vacuum’s setting to hardwood. This turns off the rollers and only uses the suction portion of the vacuum cleaner. This will help keep the vacuum from scratching your floors. Additionally, using a vacuum with rubber wheels as opposed to plastic wheels will help minimize scratches.

Mop Your Floors Twice a Month

We recommend mopping your floors at least twice a month to keep them clean and free from sticky substances. Here are a few tips to consider while mopping your floors:

• If using a traditional mop, wring out the mop before putting it on the floor. It should be damp, not sopping wet.
• Avoid standing water, this will cause the wood to expand and damage the floor.
• Spray-and-mop products or disposable wet pads are a good way to regulate that amount of liquid on your floors.

In addition to the above tips, there are a few cleaning methods and products that you should avoid when cleaning hardwood floors. You should avoid:

• Using any homemade vinegar-based product. This will damage the finish and ruin your floors.
• Harsh detergents and chemicals. These will strip the finish and expose the bare wood.
• Steam cleaners. Ones built specifically for hardwood floors are okay, but a mop is just as effective and you run the risk of oversaturating the wood if you use the steam cleaner incorrectly.

If you have trouble keeping kids or pets off of your wet hardwood floors, use a microfiber cloth and a fan to help your floor dry quickly.

Fixing Scratches

Life happens and unfortunately, you will scratch or nick your hardwood floors at some point. The good news is that scratches in your hardwood are pretty easy to fix.

For small scratches, wood floor polish is an excellent solution. You should use wood floor polish yearly to keep a nice shine, but if you notice a small scratch give it a little extra attention with the wood polish and it should go away.

Liquid scratch concealer is great for scratches that will not go away will a simple wood polish. Once the concealer dries it will form a permanent seal that will not come off during cleaning. These concealers come in different colors, so try to find one that matches your floor’s color best.

If you have a real hardwood floor and notice a large scratch you can always sand and refinish it. This is a great way to repair portions of your floor without having to refinish the entire floor.

While keeping up with cleaning hardwood floors can be a real chore, putting in the effort on a weekly or monthly basis will make a huge difference in keeping your floors from showing wear and tear. Following these simple tips will help keep your floors looking shiny and new for years to come.