Preventative maintenance is key in extending the life of your hardwood floor.  If you can follow these five simple rules you can easily lengthen the period of time between refinishes.

1. Put glides on furniture legs. They allow furniture to be moved easily without harming the floor.

a. Clean the glides regularly since dirt can become implanted in them

b. Some furniture may require casters-use roller casters as opposed to ball type casters which can cause damage to the floor. Non-marking gray rubber casters work best. Avoid casters made of metal or hard plastic.

2. Keep dirt, dust & moisture off of the floor

a. Vacuum and/or sweep regularly. Small stones, dirt and mud tracked in can dull and damage the finish over time.

b. Clean up spills immediately. Use a cloth to clean and dry the area. If water is allowed to sit on the area too long it can cause warping.

c. Mop floors at least every other week. Do not wet mop! There are many options of cleaners on the market. One recommended product is Bona’s Hardwood Cleaner. It is pH balanced, non-toxic, biodegradable, and leaves no dulling or sticky residue behind. Comes in a spray bottle and a mop with cleaning pads or a spray/mop combo.

d. Use throw rugs or walk-off mats at all entry doors, all high traffic areas and high spill locations such as sinks, stoves and refrigerators.

3. Protect your floor from UV Rays

a. Direct sunlight can cause your wood floor to change color or fade. This is caused by Ultra Violet light which speeds up the oxidation in your finishes and chemicals in the wood.

b. Wood will change colors over time, but to slow the oxidation and aging of your wood it is suggested to occasionally rearrange your furniture (including rugs) and close curtains during periods of intense sunlight.

c. UV Window Film is also helpful to have on your home windows to protect not just your hardwood floors from fading but your other valuables like furniture & artwork.

4. Control Humidity Levels by using a dehumidifier or humidifier (depending on your location’s need)

a. Seasonal gapping is inevitable. It is normal in the winter, when homes are heated and the air is dry, wood looses some of its moisture and which causes it to shrink and thin cracks appear. Once the indoor heat is turned off, the indoor environment regains moisture, and most of the cracks will disappear. With a humidifier/dehumidifier you can better control the moisture content in your home year round to lessen the effects of seasonal gapping.

5. Refinish your wood floors every 5-10 years.

a. Most consumers will want to refinish when their floors are scratched more than they can handle, have worn or bare spots in the finish or if they would like a new color or sheen. This can allow your floor to look brand new at a fraction of the cost it would have been to actually put a new floor in.