How to Care for Your Hardwood Floors: Maintenance Tips for Longevity.

By: Janelle Sywyk

Sap Engineered Hardwood

Many of our clients inquire about maintaining their hardwood floors and the best practices to keep them looking new. We've outlined some simple steps below to maintain the beauty of your floors and extend their lifespan.

1. Consistent Cleaning

   1. Daily Sweeping: avoid scratches by using a microfiber mop or soft broom to remove loose dirt.

   2. Weekly Vacuuming: use a vacuum that has a hard floor setting (no beater bar) to avoid scratches.

   3. Mopping: use a damp microfiber mop with a hardwood specific cleaner and wring out all excess water to gently clean floors.

2. General Protective Measures

   1. Moisture: wipe spills as soon as possible to avoid staining and moisture damage. Maintain a steady humidity level to ensure the wood isn't expanding and contracting too much.

   2. Scratches & Dents: utilise rugs or mats especially in high traffic areas to avoid debris build up that cause abrasions. Ensure your furniture pieces have felt or silicone pads to prevent scratches and be mindful when moving pieces.

3. Maintaining The Finish

   1. Touch Up Scratches: touch up minor scratches and nicks with engineered hardwood repair kits and touch-up markers.

   2. Avoid Harsh Cleaners: stick to engineered specific cleaners or a small amount of dish soap diluted in warm water.

   3. Re-coat or Refinish As Needed: consider resealing your floors depending on traffic and wear to maintain appearance and protection. If the floor shows significant wear and tear consider re-finishing it to restore the original look.

Caring for hardwood floors is essential to preserve aesthetics, enhance longevity and protect structural integrity. Ensure your floors are beautiful & functional for years to come!