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Tips for cleaning your hardwood floors

Wood floors are great for giving your home or business a more rustic and classic touch. It can be difficult to keep them clean and scratch-free. Experts say you need to renew them about once every ten years or so. There are a few things you can do before you refinish a hardwood floor.

Here are some things you can do to extend the life of your hardwood floors:

Clean regularly. This is pretty basic but also very important. If dust and dirt particles are left on hardwood too long, they can leave marks and scratches. Vacuuming is recommended at least once a week. If you use any cleaning products, check the labels to make sure they are made specifically for cleaning hardwood floors.

Be selective with your brushes. Use only soft nylon brushes or vacuum accessories.

Clean up spills immediately. Any spilled liquid should be wiped up immediately with a dry cloth. If there is still a mark, try a damp cloth, but be sure to dry it immediately. If that doesn’t work, try an ammonia-free window cleaner. Some materials, like furniture polish and hairspray, are especially bad for floors.

Do not wax. ‘Nuff said.

Use rugs. If there are areas that get heavy traffic, lay down a rug or mat to soak up the dirt. You can also place them in areas where you eat, prepare food, or anywhere else where spillage is likely. You can also place them under any furniture with pointed legs that can possibly scratch your floor. Get an extra large mat to place inside or outside (or both) of your driveway.

Do not wet yourself. Like a mogwai, it is bad for water to collect on hardwood floors. Look for places where water can get in. Close the windows when it rains. Put something under the potted plants. And wipe up any spills immediately, too.

Avoid bright light. Also like a mogwai, excessive exposure to sunlight is not good. If you notice that there is a window that gives overexposure, pull the blinds or curtains for some time.

Over time, your floor will eventually accumulate scuffs and scratches, and you should seek help from professionals for repainting and other restoration services. Following these simple cleaning tips will extend the life and shine of your beautiful floors.