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How to Care for Wood Floors

"Woodn't" you like hardwood floors in your home? You're not alone. According to the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA), the amount spent on wood flooring in the U.S. is up roughly 400 percent from 20 years ago. As the demand for wood floors increases, so should the amount of effort put into preserving them. Whether you've 'inherited' wood floors through the purchase of a home, or have had wood floors newly installed, you've probably come face to face (or face to floor) with the task of how to clean and care for them. Don't be intimidated or think a lot goes into wood floor maintenance! Use these tips to keep your wood floors looking new and beautiful whether they were just put in or have been there for ages.

GETTING STARTED

Do your research. Not all wood floors are created equal! The products that are right for your floors depend on the finish of your floors (polyurethane, oil, wax, etc.). According to the NWFA, you should check labels to make sure they are formulated for your specific wood floor and finish. For example, Swiffer products are safe to use on finished floors, but not recommended for unfinished, oiled or waxed woodfloors. "If you don't know the type of wood floor or finish, find a professional to help you identify it at woodfloors.org," according to Brett Miller from the National Wood Flooring Association.

Fight the furniture scrapes. Use felt protectors under each leg of furniture. As these collect dirt and debris that will act as sandpaper and scratch the wood over time, clean or change them often.

Rugs for the win. Tie your room together and prevent debris from getting too far into the house and scratching the floor by throwing rugs in the doorways.

Your heels are on point but that's the problem. Sports cleats and high heels can dent your wood floors. Put a shoe shelf by the door and take off the pointy shoes before they cause some damage!

WEEKLY

Dry first, wet second. When it comes time to clean your floors (weekly or as frequently as you need) use a Swiffer Sweeper to trap and lock dirt, dust and hair. If your floors are in need of a wipe down as well, make sure you dry sweep first to eliminate any debris that could be dragged around by wet mopping. A Swiffer WetJet will absorb and lock dirt and grime safely from your finished wood floors.

MONTHLY

Don't feel the burn. UV rays can discolor your hardwood floors and cause noticeable color differences between areas protected from the sun and those that are not. Once a month, do a thorough check of your floor and look at the areas hidden under rugs. If you notice any discoloration, up the protection by applying a fresh top coat.

YEARLY

Mind the gap? Throughout the seasons, you may notice your hardwood floors expand in the humid months and contract in the drier months. Keeping the humidity level in your home constant will help offset this, but don't be alarmed if you still see some small gaps.

BEYOND

You need another coat. Every three to five years you should add a maintenance coat to your floors to keep them in tip top shape. However, you may be able to go longer between maintenance coats depending on the floor's wear, your lifestyle and the floor's maintenance.

Don't slide into bad habits. If it's time to switch up your decor and you can't move your heavy furniture yourself, enlist help and don't slide. Sliding furniture can scratch the surface of your wood floors.

It's only a few decades away. Sand and refinish your wood floors every few decades.