Hardwood flooring appeals to many homebuyers, as it matches a broad range of interior design styles and lasts for many years. However, when you care for hardwood floors, you need to follow specific guidelines to avoid damage. Pay attention to how you clean and maintain your floors, and they will better stand up to dirt, debris, crumbs, and more for decades.
Limit Cleaning with Moisture
Moisture and humidity are the enemies of your hardwood flooring, so as you care for hardwood floors, limit water, cleaners, and other damp substances that might damage the wood. High levels of moisture and humidity, like a steam cleaner, can lead to cupping in the floorboards. When you need a cleaner, apply it to a damp mop and clean the floor quickly to keep the excess liquid from soaking into the wood.
Pay Attention to Problems While You Care for Hardwood Floors
One of the other advantages of caring for hardwood floors is paying closer attention to potential problems. For example, if humidity levels in your home are too high or rapidly fluctuating due to weather conditions, your hardwood flooring could start cracking, gapping, or splitting. Changes in your hardwood floors’ color, shape, or appearance are also a red flag that something might be seriously wrong.
Use Furniture Pads
Furniture pads are very affordable and critical to protect your investment in your hardwood flooring. Place them on the bottom of any heavy piece of furniture, including chairs, bookshelves, tables, benches, and more. Because these small felt pads serve as a buffer between the furniture and the floor, they can prevent scratching or scraping from everyday use or moving things from one area to another.
Sweep and Dust Every Day
Hardwood floors need to be maintained every day, so plan on quickly sweeping your floor with a soft-bristled broom after dinner each night to get rid of the debris and dirt from the day. This prevents tiny crumbs from settling in the grain or cracks. Tidy up immediately after a spill as you care for hardwood floors. Allowing water or juice to sit on the surface of your flooring can lead to moisture damage and staining over time.
Protect Your Hardwood Floors
The things you do around the house impact your flooring’s condition and lifespan. In addition to taking time to care for hardwood floors every day, adjust your habits and home accordingly. Place a shoe rack by the front door so that guests can take their shoes off. Keep your pet’s nails trimmed so that they don’t scuff the floor. Small changes like these can make a big difference.
Oasis Home Inspections provides home inspection services in Brevard County, Florida. Contact us to request an appointment.