Wood flooring is one of the only floor coverings that, when properly maintained, will last for the lifetime of the home. Most wood floors can be cared for with minimal effort, and in many cases, a little preventive maintenance will help maintain and enhance the natural patina an aged floor acquires.

• Wipe up all spills immediately.
• Only use vacuum cleaners that have a setting for hard surfaces. Turn off the beater bars/brushes on the vacuum cleaner when present.
• Do not wet-mop a wood floor. Standing water will result in cracks, splits, cupping, warping, degradation of the finish, and leave a discoloring residue. We recommend using a microfiber mop and a spray wood floor cleaner to “mop” the floor.
• Do not use steam cleaners on wood floors. Water in a vapor form will penetrate the wood fibers and cause irreversible damage to the wood flooring and the finish.
• Use breathable throw rugs both inside and outside the doorways to prevent grit, salt, chemicals, sand, moisture, and other debris from being tracked onto the wood floors.
• For wood flooring installed in the kitchen, place a breathable area rug in front of the kitchen sink and stove.
• Rugs should be shaken out, cleaned, and thoroughly dried when they get wet.
• Check with the finish manufacturer for when rugs can be placed on the newly finished floor. In general, they should not be placed on a newly finished floor for a minimum of seven days after the final coat of finish has been applied.
• Take special precautions with non-skid pads that are frequently placed under area rugs. Some of these pads may imprint their pattern onto the finish and/or the wood floor. (Natural fibers may not transfer as much as some synthetic pads.)
• Be aware that area rugs cover the wood floor, protecting it from UV/sun exposure, which can result in color differences in the wood floor.
• Put fabric-faced /felt glides under the legs of furniture to prevent scuffing and scratching. Periodically check these floor protectors for embedded soil and replace them as necessary.
• Avoid walking on your floor with cleats, sports shoes, and high heels. A 125-pound woman in high heels has an impact of 2,000 pounds per square inch. An exposed heel can exert up to 8,000 pounds per square inch. This kind of impact will dent any floor surface.
• Keep pet claws trimmed and in good repair.
• When moving heavy furniture, do not slide it on wood flooring. It is best to pick up the furniture completely to avoid scratching the floors.
• When moving appliances (refrigerators, stoves, etc.), use safety glides. On newly finished floors, wait a minimum of three days before replacing appliances.
• Use an appropriate humidifier throughout the winter/dry months and/or a dehumidifier in the summer/humid months to keep wood movement and shrinkage to a minimum.  It is important to maintain a consistent environment throughout the year to minimize floor movement.
• When the floor loses its luster, it’s time for a recoat.
• Beyond these general guidelines, it is essential to know which type of finish has been used on the floor for other maintenance concerns. Different wood flooring finishes require different care, and it is important to use the right product to protect the floors and prolong their life.

Finishes used on factory-finished floors may include aluminum oxides, urethanes, penetrating oils, Teflon-infused, acrylic impregnated, or many other types. Because of these variances in product types, it is critical to determine which finish is used on the floor to know how to care for it. For factory-finished wood floors, consumers should follow the directions of the flooring manufacturer as to which cleaning products to use. This is extremely important because not following those directions may void the manufacturer’s warranty of the floor.

Job site-finished floors form a protective film of finish over the wood flooring. Maintenance for these types of finishes includes:

• For site finished wood floors, follow the Bona manufacturer maintenance recommendations. (unless otherwise discussed)
• When the wood or finish manufacturer is unknown, use a wood floor cleaning product available from a local wood flooring professional or look for the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) seal of approval.
• Using a non-recommended product to clean the floor may ruin the intended appearance of the finish. Products that promise to “restore” or “add shine” will do so with the usage of wax or oil. This may also cause problems when it is time for the floor to be recoated.
• Do not use sheet vinyl or tile floor care products on wood floors. Self-polishing acrylic waxes cause wood to become slippery and appear dull quickly.
• Excessive use of wood floor cleaners can damage the wood floor. Only use as recommended by the manufacturer.
• Do not use household dust treatments.
• Never use wax on non-waxed surface finishes.
• Do not use petroleum-based cleaners on waterborne finishes.
• Do not use vinegar on wood floor finishes. Vinegar is acidic and will degrade the floor finish.

Wood is an organic material that reacts to its environment. In humid environments, wood gains moisture and can swell. In dry environments, wood loses moisture and can shrink. If the environment in which your wood floors are installed changes drastically, it can cause changes in your floors and the way they perform.

If your floors gain moisture, they can cup. Cupping occurs across the width of the floorboard, with edges that are raised on each board and centers that are lower than the edges. If your floors lose moisture, they can gap or split. This can occur between floorboards or on the face of the boards. Gaps and splits can vary in size and are considered to be normal if they appear and disappear during normal seasonal changes. If the gaps in your floors are large or do not close during more humid months, it’s time to call a professional.

Both of these issues can be minimized by keeping your home between 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit, and between 30-50 percent humidity, year-round.