The beauty of hardwood floors comes with a price; they require vigilance and maintenance to keep them looking and performing at their best. Most people find that the extra care is worth it for long-lasting beauty and are willing to accommodate the care needs of wooden flooring.
Moving Day
OK, you’ve installed the new flooring and now want to get back to enjoying the room. Wait! Slow down and take a few simple precautions to preserve your brand-new floor and finish. Here’s a preliminary list of easy preventative measures that will help keep the finish — and your marriage — safe!
- Stop it at the Door! The care of hardwood floors starts at the door. Dirt and dust are annoying, but fine grit, stones, and sand will be your floor’s biggest threat. Place sturdy bristle or other robust doormats outside all entrances, and a softer rug inside the door. Avoid using small carpet scraps with hard backings, as they can scratch your floor. Use a sizable rug (at least 3’x5’) inside as a second line of defense.
- Shoes are Bad News Small grit and sand are ALWAYS embedded in the soles of shoes. Heels can also be a problem due to the exposed nails and the concentrated weight, which easily dents softwood floors. If possible, ask everyone to leave shoes at the door and wear stocking feet inside. This is an easy way to keep the home and floor clean in the long run.
- Create Runways Through the Room Rosin paper is an excellent protective covering that can be rolled out, taped down with painter’s tape, and easily removed. It keeps grit off the wood, but offers little protection against dents.
- Dent Protection If you’re doing more work in the house and people or equipment are moving through, consider using industrial hallway carpets. These rubber-backed carpets, which can be found at home improvement stores, are inexpensive and reusable. They help protect against dents caused by toolboxes, ladders, and boots. Be sure to also get area rugs made of the same material for workmen to place their tools or sawhorses on.
Ongoing Protection
You’ve survived the first phase — now let’s look at ways to protect your floors on an ongoing basis. Caring for hardwood floors is mostly about common sense and a bit of preparation.
- Furniture and Floors The best thing you can do is invest in leg protectors appropriate for both the furniture and the floor. The heavier the furniture, the wider the protector should be, and carpeted underneath. Smaller, felt pads may be fine for smaller, lighter pieces. You might also want to invest in wheels for certain items that need to be moved occasionally. Note: Dirt and grit can get trapped under these pads, so clean them periodically to avoid scratches.
- Moving the Big Stuff: Appliances Refrigerators and dishwashers are common culprits for scratches on brand-new floors, but this damage is easily avoided. Use a hand truck to move these appliances, or place a thin, hard material like Masonite under the fridge so it can roll over it smoothly. Be sure to clean the floor beneath the board first!
- Water Sand and grit are worrisome, but water is sneaky and can seep into and under your hardwood floors if you’re not careful. Trouble spots include areas in front of the sink, fridge, pet dishes, and near doors — particularly sliding doors that might allow rain to drift in. Snowy boots can also create a puddle if not stopped by an absorbent rug.
Kids, Dogs, and Other Floor-Slayers
Floors endure a lot of wear and tear from kids and dogs, but there are a few things you can do to minimize the damage.
- Train Them Early The kids, that is! Dogs never learn new tricks. Train your kids from the start to remove their shoes at the door. Be persistent until it becomes second nature. Help them by giving them slip-on shoes like Crocs or Velcro sneakers to save time. By setting this shoe-removal rule, they may even opt to run around the house rather than through it!
- Dog Gone It! Large dogs can ruin wood floors quickly if you don’t take precautions. One helpful solution is the kitchen kennel — a large wire cage designated as the dog’s spot with a soft blanket or dog bed inside. This gives the dog a welcome place to rest instead of wandering through the house. Large rugs near doors are also essential for pets, as they’re constantly coming and going, tracking debris with them.
Caring for Your Hardwood Floor
Just like religion, there are many schools of thought on how to care for hardwood floors, and it’s a lively discussion. Some prefer the old standards like vinegar and water or Murphy’s Oil Soap. Both have their place, but remember that too much water can be harmful. Excess moisture can raise the grain in areas with thin or exposed coatings, and seep between the boards, causing problems below. Damp mopping is the key — not sloshing, but damp mopping. Also, be cautious with vinegar, as its acidity can affect the finish over time. Oil soap can create a buildup that may require removal with an alcohol-based cleaner before refinishing. Many homeowners are now opting for Swiffer or Bona sweepers, as they provide a controlled amount of moisture for light cleaning, without the heavy bucket and strong-smelling cleaners.
Waxes and Polishes
With so many types of finishes available today, always check with the manufacturer, installer, or retailer where you purchased your flooring before using any waxes or polishes. Traditionally, hardwood floors were regularly waxed, but with newer finishes, you should confirm whether it’s appropriate. It’s also a good idea to consult other homeowners with the same type of flooring to see what products they use. Neutral pH cleaners are increasingly favored by manufacturers for modern finishes, so check for the best recommendations for your specific flooring.
