A+ Hardwood Floors Offers Maintenance and Protection Tips

Fewer types of flooring invoke a feeling of coziness and tradition than hardwood flooring. Hardwood floors offer a timeless beauty because they’ve been highlighted in homes for centuries. Although hardwood floors are durable and long-lasting, they’re not invincible. They’re prone to damages caused by wear and tear from heavy foot traffic and the elements, as well as those caused by pets and small children in the home. However, if you take care of your hardwood floors properly, you should be able to enjoy them for many decades. A+ Hardwood Floors is here to provide helpful tips on how to extend the life of hardwood floors in your Denver, CO home. Our hardwood flooring professionals have over 25 years of expertise. Consult us today for additional tips about protecting your beautiful hardwood floors!

Keep Your Hardwood Floors Clean by Sweeping and Mopping

Hardwood floors aren’t exceptionally difficult to maintain, but they will require some upkeep to ensure their longevity. Allowing dust, dirt, or moisture to accumulate can dull their finish, making them appear lifeless and unattractive. Always wipe up spills immediately, as water can cause staining, warping, and even wood rot if ignored for too long. You’ll need to sweep them a few times a week using a soft-bristle broom to clear away dirt particles and dust. Once you’ve swept, you’ll want to mop them gently, being careful not to use very much water and a specially formulated hardwood floor cleaner. Never use anything too abrasive on your hardwood floors, as harsh chemicals can strip away their finish. Learn more about how to clean hardwood floors properly.

Take Precautions to Protect Them From UV Light and More

Most homeowners don’t give a second thought to sunlight streaming in through their windows, but UV light can cause your hardwood floors to fade. Darker wood species tend to get lighter with prolonged sun exposure, while lighter woods may darken. Keeping your window blinds or curtains closed during the day or installing tinted windows can help you protect your wood flooring’s finish. Adding welcome mats to entryways, area rugs to hallways, and soft natural mats around sink areas can help you protect your wood floors from wear and tear from foot traffic and moisture. Be sure to wash and replace these mats regularly, as they tend to get more abrasive as they collect dirt. Keep your windows closed when it rains or snows to prevent excess moisture from wreaking havoc on your floors. Finally, applying felt protectors under furniture legs will prevent you from scratching your floors when moving furniture.

Waxing Your Wood Flooring Adds an Extra Layer of Protection

Wax adds an extra layer of protection to your wood flooring’s surface. Wax can build up and leave residue over time. We suggest buffing the floor first to remove excess wax and restore your floor’s shine. You may also add a protective coating of polyurethane sealer using a soft cloth for additional protection. Most wood flooring experts recommend applying a new sealer maintenance coat every three years for high-traffic areas or every five years for areas with less foot traffic.

You May Want to Consider Winterizing Your Hardwood Floors

Wood floors expand and contract based on environmental changes. Winterizing your hardwood floors may be necessary to avoid long-term damage caused by these constant expansions and contractions. Using a humidifier can help regulate the levels of moisture inside your home. There are also specially formulated cleaners you can purchase to clean the salt tracked in from wintry sidewalks and driveways.

How Long Has It Been Since You Had Your Floors Refinished?

Perhaps the most important thing you can do to extend the life of your hardwood floors is to have them refinished professionally. Your floor will need to be refinished every five years or maybe sooner, should you notice the finish fading. You can rely on A+ Hardwood Floors for all your hardwood floor refinishing needs in Denver and surrounding areas of Colorado. Your refinished floors will look as good as new, and thanks to our dustless technique, you’ll enjoy a more affordable, efficient process with less mess when compared to floor sanding. Contact us today for a free estimate. We’d be glad to answer any questions!