| By :
Patricia Strasser
Hardwood floors are valuable and eye-pleasing specialty of any home. Other than their aesthetic value, hardwood floors also provide many practical benefits to homeowners. They are a good insulator of heat and can keep a room's occupants warm and snug. This type of flooring is also relatively easy to clean and maintain. Hardwood floors remain durable, beautiful, and last for years with proper maintenance and hardwood floor refinishing. With floor maintenance items and these basic tips, you will be assured that your hardwood floor is well-protected: Clean the surface regularly Aside from affecting your hardwood floors' appearance, dirt, dust, grime, grit and sand can also cause significant damage to your floors. Don't allow these foreign substances to sit on your floor. They will only go deeper and get harder to clean, and cause damage later on. Part of protecting your hardwood floor involves cleaning the surface regularly by sweeping or vacuuming. Immediately mop any spills Like the previous tip, stains, like spilled liquids, are not advisable to settle on the floor for a long time. Water stains not only makes hardwood floors look messy and unattractive, they can also be leading causes of warped floors and water damage. Be sure to clean any spills instantly. Use area rugs Area rugs are useful for protecting your hardwood floors as they can keep away dust and dirt from settling on the surface. Hardwood floors also become discolored when uncovered by direct sunlight. The use of area rugs is one effective way of dealing with this problem. Use them to cover floor areas which are directly exposed to the sun. Affix protective pads made of felt onto the legs or feet of furniture Your hardwood floor can have scrapes and scratches caused by the legs of your furniture. The use of protective pads made of felt will help avoid major damage. The legs of your tables, chairs, and other furniture should be attached with these pads. When rearranging furniture, lift the pieces up and don't drag them over your floor. Keep pets away Never allow cats and dogs to walk on your hardwood floor. Your pet's nails can damage the surface of the hardwood floor. But, you can also be meticulous in making sure that their nails are trimmed, if you can't keep your pets away. Keep high heels away A big threat to hardwood flooring may actually be your own footwear. Do not use shoes, especially high-heeled shoes, inside the house. High heels, in particular, may leave indentations on the surface of your hardwood floor. Regulate the humidity inside the house Damage to your hardwood floor is also caused by extreme weather changes. You can either use a humidifier or simply boil water on your stove to maintain the humidity inside your home from 40 to 50% during the cold months. Protect your hardwood floors so that you will make the most of both its longevity and durability.
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