Wood is a natural, beautiful and timeless design and decorating element. Caring, consistent and correct maintenance will ensure it remains that way. Here are the “Do’s and Don’ts” of proper hardwood care:

• Do use a walk-off mat or area rug at each entryway to collect dirt and grit that might be tracked in. These tiny particles act like sandpaper and will scratch your floor.
• Don’t use rubber-backed or non-ventilated mats or rugs as they may cause damage.
• Do use cleaners that won’t leave a film or residue.
• Don’t use wax on floors with a urethane finish.
• Do use a good quality broom and sweep your floor regularly to pick-up any grains of dirt and dust. You can use a vacuum cleaner (without a beater bar) to pick-up hard to reach dirt between planks and crevices.
• Don’t use ammonia cleaners or oil soaps on a wood floor, they will dull the finish and performance of your floor. These products will also affect the ability to re-coat your floor later.
• Do use a hardwood floor cleaner to remove occasional scuffs or heel marks. Just spray some cleaner on a cloth and lightly rub the stained area. Sticky spot can be cleaned with a damp towel or sponge.
• Don’t use a wet mop or excessive water to clean your floor. Wood expands naturally when wet, so large amounts of water will cause the wood to swell, crack or splinter.
• Do clean up spills on your hardwood floor as soon as they happen.