Once you have installed your hardwood floors the question of how to protect them arises. After such an investment you would like your floors to last as long as those in historical buildings which have a track record of a few hundred years. You have two options: one is to steal a floor from one of these buildings so you can have a floor with a track record, while the second is to read on for some tips on protecting your floors and you can age your own hardwood floors.

Hardwood Floors & Prevention: The Best Cure of All

Prevention is better than any cure and that is why your main goal should be to prevent damage from occurring in the first place. Even though hardwood floors can be relatively easy to repair it is an extra cost that often can be avoided by implementing a few preventative measures. Some things you can do to limit damage are:

• Use carpet runners or non-slip rugs in high traffic areas to minimize the dirt and grit that are tracked onto your hardwood floors. The carpeting will trap a good portion of the debris carried in on people’s shoes;
• Place mats at each of your entrances to trap dirt before it’s even tracked into your home;
• Vacuum your carpets often so that the dust and dirt doesn’t sink down through the carpet and on to the floor;
• When moving furniture, do not drag it under any circumstances as this will scratch your hardwood floors. You can use gliding furniture pads underneath the furnitre but make sure to clean beforehand to make sure that no grit can get caught under the pads and scratch the surface of your floor;
• Avoid wearing high heels, especially with thin heals, as they can leave dents in your floors;
• Clean up liquid spills as quickly as possible so that the liquid doesn’t have time to seep in between the seams;
• A periodic waxing and buffing will also provide a protective screen for your floors;

Hardwood Floors & Regular Maintenance

There are certain floor treatments that should be used on a monthly basis to add shine as well as to condition your hardwood floors. When purchasing a treatment make sure to speak to the vendor for advice on the best product for your type of hardwood floors. These treatments are usually applied with a spray directly onto the floor, allowed to rest for a short while, and then removed with a dry clean rag or mop.

You should also consider sealing your hardwood floors annually, a relatively simple procedure which will give your floors a new, cleaner look. After sealing you should see a big improvement in the appearance of your floors. This sealant will also provide protection against spills by limiting and reducing the degree of liquid absorption.

By following these tips you will find that you will greatly improve the life expectancy of your hardwood floors as well as helping to prevent an added expense incurred due to damage.