While a majority of people may assume that hardwood is exceptionally delicate and needs arduous care, this is not the entire truth. In fact, hardwood remains a choice flooring material because of its longevity and stability. Thus, all you are expected to do is carry out preventative maintenance measures that will preserve the condition of the hardwood. One of the main concerns about hardwood is how hygroscopic it is. The presence of moisture and humidity will cause it to contract and expand. This expansion and contraction, in turn, changes the structure of the timber via buckling, cupping and so on. As a result, it is imperative to ensure that your hardwood flooring is not exposed to excessive moisture. Nonetheless, this is not the only way to care for your timber. Therefore, aside from moisture control, here are nifty tips to keep your hardwood flooring in pristine shape.

Always have felt pads on hand

You might be telling your guests to take their shoes off before they enter your home, or perhaps you are strategically placing mats around the floor to prevent undue damage, but you also need to keep the floor protected from your furniture. Sliding furniture across the floors or even minor budges when the furniture shifts can lead to scratches and indentations in your hardwood flooring. To prevent this unnecessary damage, you should place felt pads under all the legs of your furniture. The felt pads provide cushioning and prolong the lifespan of your floors.

Desist from cleaning with harsh chemicals

Another critical aspect of caring for your hardwood flooring is refraining from using any industrial-strength cleaners. If your hardwood flooring is extensively stained, you should call in a specialist cleaner rather than try to get rid of the stubborn grime on your own. If your hardwood flooring is the prefinished or the polyurethane variety, you should ensure you do not use any ammonia-based products, as these will be detrimental to the finish. Homeowners who have oiled hardwood floors should check if the manufacturer already has a cleaning product range that works with these types of flooring.

Avoid abrasive cleaning pads

Any cleaning pad with an abrasive surface should not come into contact with your hardwood flooring. Even minor scuffs can get progressively worse, and this puts your hardwood flooring at a higher risk of becoming unappealing. Instead, stick to soft fabrics, preferably lint-free ones, which will eliminate surface dirt without affecting the hardwood flooring. As an extra preventative measure, always sweep the flooring before wiping it down so that hard particles of dirt do not end up compromising the finish.