Carpet | Flooring Distributors

Hardwood Care

Hardwood Flooring Care

Excessive amounts of water and wood don’t mix. Wood is a natural material that swells when it absorbs water and shrinks when it dries out. And even though some finishes are resistant to water, there are seams where boards are put together. Wipe up liquid spills before they soak down into the seams and your floor will remain unmarked, smooth, and level. Only use cleaners made by the manufacturer of your wood or laminate floor.

Avoid furniture glides and spike heels. Those round-headed domes on the bottom of furniture legs make heavy furniture easy to slide around. But glides can tear up any floor while sliding, or dent the floor permanently under a stationary leg. All the furniture’s weight is concentrated on a tiny point, sometimes as much as 500 pounds on a 1/16 inch circle. Narrow ball rollers and spike heels are just as bad.

They strike the floor with more force per square inch than an elephant’s foot. Spread the weight. Use wide flat smooth plastic cups or rollers instead. You won’t dent or gouge your floor if you use the proper leg rest. Put a piece of carpet or fabric under the furniture to move it. Grit is one the biggest dangers to your floor. Tracked-in dirt is like sandpaper on a hardwood or laminate floor. Use a walk-off mat or rug at every outdoor entrance to catch the grit. Be sure to vacuum or shake it regularly.

^ back to top

Prevention/Protect

Mats (heavy bristle) at all entrances help keep dirt and moisture from being tracked in.
Area/throw rugs are recommended in high traffic and spill prone areas (i.e. under sink in kitchen). Rugs should be slip-resistant with a backing that will not discolor the floor. (Rubber, foam back or plastic are not recommended).
Proper floor protectors will help reduce the risk the risk of indentation by distributing weight. For furniture that will be moved often, protectors are made of carpet or felt are recommended to help prevent scraps and scratches.
Stiletto or spike hell shoes, especially those in poor repair, will cause denting and damage to your floor. Loads in excess of 2,000 pounds of square inch can be produced by such footwear even when worn by a slight person. Manufacturer will not accept claims for damage from such exposure.

^ back to top

Day-to-Day Care

Vacuum regularly (low height setting without beater bar). This is the best way to remove dust and dirt before it gets walked into the surface of the wood.
Sweep and/or dust mop (as necessary).
Wipe up spills promptly. Slightly damp (not dripping) cloth is acceptable.
Manufactured Approved cleaners only. For other floor care information, refer to your manufacturer’s floor care guide. The type of finish on your new floor will dictate the type of floor care and products required.

Hardwood products are available to restore the finish to its original beauty and to smooth out years of wear. Use the restoration product designed for your particular floor. Touch up kits are available for most hardwood floors to repair minor blemishes occurring over the life of the floor.

^ back to top