Hardwood care & maintenance
Hardwood floors are a great investment for their ability to maintain the natural beauty of wood for many years. Maximizing the lifespan of your flooring requires a bit of effort, but the payoff is worth it.
The biggest threat to your hardwoods is humidity. We typically deliver hardwood several days in advance of installing it so that it has time to acclimate to the average humidity in your home. Once installed, it is wise to keep the relative indoor humidity level between 35% and 55% year-round. This will prevent shrinkage in the winter and expansion in warmer months.
To avoid scuffs and scratches, place soft pads on the bottoms of furniture and chair legs, replacing them as they wear over time. Heavy furniture should be picked up completely when being moved, rather than dragged across the floor.
High heels and sports shoes can be rough on a wood floor, so you and your guests should remove them at the door when possible. Non-slip throw rugs both inside and outside of entryways will prevent dirt from entering the home and keep floors from becoming discolored.
The biggest threat to your hardwoods is humidity. We typically deliver hardwood several days in advance of installing it so that it has time to acclimate to the average humidity in your home. Once installed, it is wise to keep the relative indoor humidity level between 35% and 55% year-round. This will prevent shrinkage in the winter and expansion in warmer months.
To avoid scuffs and scratches, place soft pads on the bottoms of furniture and chair legs, replacing them as they wear over time. Heavy furniture should be picked up completely when being moved, rather than dragged across the floor.
High heels and sports shoes can be rough on a wood floor, so you and your guests should remove them at the door when possible. Non-slip throw rugs both inside and outside of entryways will prevent dirt from entering the home and keep floors from becoming discolored.
Hardwood cleaning tips
Cleaning hardwoods is simple. Sweep or vacuum regularly, but not too often. Excessive cleaning will cause unnecessary wear.
Liquid spills should be wiped up immediately with a damp towel, then promptly dried so that moisture does not sit too long. Do not wet-mop or steam wood floors.
Occasionally use a recommended* wood cleaner, not a tile or vinyl floor product. The latter will cause your floors to become dull and slippery.
*Consult your manufacturer's recommendations to determine the specific cleaner you need to use on your floor in order to maintain the warranty and avoid the risk of damage.
Liquid spills should be wiped up immediately with a damp towel, then promptly dried so that moisture does not sit too long. Do not wet-mop or steam wood floors.
Occasionally use a recommended* wood cleaner, not a tile or vinyl floor product. The latter will cause your floors to become dull and slippery.
*Consult your manufacturer's recommendations to determine the specific cleaner you need to use on your floor in order to maintain the warranty and avoid the risk of damage.