Hardwood floors are susceptible to damage from several factors. Hardwood floors can be damaged by dirt, dust, water, spills of all kinds and sunlight. Harwood flooring is expensive flooring and should be well maintained. By following these hardwood floor protection tips your hardwood flooring will always looks great and will last for decades.

Dirt from foot traffic gets on the surface and in the grain of your hardwood floor. Outside dirt is carried in the home by dirt on the bottom of foot wear. The dirt makes your floor look bad and can also damage the floor. In most cases dirt has to be mopped off wood floors although in some cases it can be removed by a vacuum. Either method can damage your floor. If you use too much water it can get absorbed into the wood grain and cause the floor boards to expand. If you use a vacuum you can scratch the floor. The best thing to do to avoid dirt accumulation is to prohibit foot wear from being worn inside your home.

Dust accumulation of the floor is nearly impossible to prevent unless you can seal your home from all natural elements. Because this isn’t practical the next best thing is to sweep, vacuum and occasionally mop the floors to remove the dust.

Water and other liquids can cause damage on hardwood floors. Water can cause the boards on your floor to swell and expand. This swelling and expansion can push the floor into the side walls of the room causing cracks in the flooring. Water can get on your hardwood floors in two ways either by mopping with too much water or water that seeps from the outside. Don't allow water to remain on the floor any longer than just a few minutes. Clean the water with a dry mop until there is no trace of moisture left on the floor.

Spills are just a part of living and inevitable. However, spills in all manners can cause damage to hardwood floors. Protect your hardwood floors from spills by placing mats or carpets around places that are likely to get spills. Typically these areas are around tables, counters and desks. In the event of a spill absorb the spill with an absorbent cloth as much as possible.

Sunlight damage can be caused on any part of the floor that is constantly exposed to sunlight. The floor will become discolored as a result of the sun bleaching out the wood. Depending on the type of wood it will either become lighter or darker. To protect your hardwood floor from sunlight use window drapes that will provide shade for the floor or cover up areas of the floor that are exposed to sunlight with rugs, mats or furniture.

After Holiday Cleaning Tips

Carpet Cleaning

Cleaning a Shower

Cleaning Crusty Shower Heads and Faucets

Cleaning and Care of Corian Counter Tops

Cleaning and Lacquering Brass

Cleaning Ceramic Tile Floors

Cleaning Dirty Forced Air Ducts

Cleaning Exterior Bricks

Cleaning Lampshades

Cleaning Painted Cement