KEEPING WOOD FLOORS BEAUTIFUL

Does your hardwood floor reflect more than a shine? Like that time you decided the antique buffet should go against the south wall … and tried to move it by yourself. Or the time your son took his new in-line skates for a test drive … in the hallway.

Some say those scratches and nicks give a wood floor character. Others are so obsessed with keeping it nice, they put booties on the dog. Regardless, a hardwood floor is a thing of beauty — worth taking care of as an asset to your home. So here are some simple dos and don’ts that will help you keep yours looking beautiful:

DO sweep, vacuum, mop or dust-mop floors weekly. (Unless you want to battle dust bunnies larger than your cat.) Walking on dirt, sand and grit can scratch the finish quickly.

DON’T use a stiff broom on wood floors — the bristles may leave scratches.

DO place mats or throw rugs at all exterior entrances — preferably inside and outside the door — as well as in high-traffic areas and in areas prone to spills (like by the kitchen sink). Use rugs with nonslip backings, but avoid rubber-backed or other nonventilated styles. Be sure to shake, wash or vacuum them frequently or you’ll defeat the whole purpose of having them.

DO rotate rugs occasionally so that the effects of light and traffic occur uniformly over the floor.

DO close curtains and blinds — or use sheer drapes — to protect the floor from sunlight and harsh UV rays.

DO clean up spills immediately — never let them stand. Start at the edge of the spill and work toward the centre to keep it from spreading.
*Tip: Messy items like candle wax and chewing gum can be removed by holding an ice cube to the spot until it crumbles off the wood. Follow with a dab of appropriate cleaner and buff lightly with a clean, soft cloth.

DON’T wet-mop a wood floor. Too much water can cause it to swell and cup, so make sure the mop is only slightly damp when you mop your hardwood floors.

DON’T use soaps that contain oil, household dusting/furniture polishes or anything that contains silicone or silicone oils on your hardwood floors. They can make the floor slicker than banana peels and dull the finish over time.

DON’T use ammonia-based or abrasive cleansers.

DO choose a mild soap or detergent (one with a neutral or near-neutral pH that won’t leave behind a residue, oil or film on the floor).

DON’T put furniture directly on the bare floor because it can cause scratches. Use rugs, felt “feet,” rubber or plastic covers or any other type of protection under furniture legs and casters — and be careful not to let grit accumulate under them. Chair glides are also an inexpensive way to protect your floors.

DON’T slide or drag furniture to move it — get someone burly to lift and carry it instead. If you don’t know anyone burly, place small mats underneath the piece of furniture before you slide it across the room.

DON’T walk on a hardwood floor in high heels that are in poor repair. An exposed nail or stone on the bottom of any shoe can exert up to 8,000 pounds per square inch of pressure. That’s like balancing an elephant on a golf tee … on your beautiful floor.

DON’T place potted plants directly on the floor. Even if the pot is waterproof, condensation can form underneath it and damage the finish. Instead, put plants on stands so air can circulate under them.

DO keep your home properly humidified … and just say no to cracks. (Seriously, maintaining your home at between 45 and 55 percent humidity will minimize cracks between boards. Plus, it’s good for any wood in your home — including wood furniture).