Source: The Hardwood Manufacturers Association

You’ve finished your new wood floor project and your home or place of business looks beautiful. Now you’re wondering how you keep it looking this way. Besides wood being a green, renewable resource, advanced finish technology and innovative products make wood one of the easiest flooring materials today. Solid hardwood floors repay a little care with a lifetime of value. Some simple preventive measures can preserve a beautiful finish and keep your maintenance to a minimum as well as how to prevent damage.

TLC 1: Regularly check the condition of the underlying wood and the finish that protects it. Are there signs of neglect to care for—it’s not difficult—or do you see a well-tended surface that needs just a touch to maintain it?

• Never use floor care products made for vinyl or tile on wood floors.
  Self polishing acrylic waxes cause wood to become slippery and appear dull quickly.
  The only remedy in this situation is to sand and refinish the floor.
• Place mats and throw rugs at doorway exteriors and interiors to help prevent the tracking of grit, dirt and sand.
• Use a humidifier in the home throughout the winter months to keep all wood movement and shrinkage to a minimum
• Sunlight can be harmful and can change the color of your wood floor. Try to limit direct sunlight on your floor as much as possible.
• Dry clean hardwood floors regularly as dirt and dust can grind into the finish.
  Sweep with a broom with fine, exploded ends—these are trap dust and grit effectively.
  Vacuum with the brush attachment—don’t use vacuums with beater bars.
  Dust mop using one with 12″ or greater cotton head.
  If using a special dust treatment, spray the treatment on the mop head 12 to 24 hours before dust mopping.
• Never use a damp mop on a wood floor. Standing water can dull the finish, damage the wood and leave a discolored residue.
• Use neutral pH cleaners made specifically for wood floors.
  Never use oil-based soaps. Read the label of the soap product you purchase to see if it contains any petroleum-based ingredients. These soaps can build up and cause problems when it’s time to put a maintenance coat on your floor.
• Wipe up food and other spills immediately with a slightly dampened towel and dry area immediately.
  For wood flooring in the kitchen, place an area rug in front of the kitchen sink.
• Do not over-wax a wood floor. If the floor dulls, try buffing instead.
  Avoid wax buildup under furniture and other light traffic areas by applying wax in these spots every other waxing session.
• Put soft plastic or fabric-faced glides under the legs of furniture to prevent scuffing and scratching.
  When moving heavy furniture, completely pick up the furniture and carry rather than slide to best protect the wood flooring.
• Shoes can damage you floor.
  Cleats, sports shoes and high heels can dent any floor surface. When a 125 lb. woman walks on a floor, she exerts 2,000 pounds per square inch with every step she takes.