Caring For Your Floorboards

How to clean and preserve your floor:

• To keep your floor looking its best, dust mop at least once a week minimum. 
• Spills and tracked in dirt can be cleaned using a damp mop or cloth on the floor. (Specific floor cleaners are available but in general the product used should be slightly alkaline)
• Be careful to use only a damp mop, not wet, as excess water will damage the floor. Note: Oil soaps, liquid ammonia, and vinegar are not to be used on the floor.

Maintaining Your Wood Floor:

• A good quality dust mop is the most effective tool for removing the finer particles of dust and grit that will grind off finish.
• Do not wax or polish. If you anticipate the need for a fresh coat of finish in a few years, the films left by waxes and polishes cannot be coated over. (NOTE: Wax can also make the floor very slippery) 
• Place mats and throw rugs at doorway exteriors and interiors to help prevent the tracking of grit and dirt on your wood flooring
• Place felt under the legs of furniture to prevent scratching of your wood floor.
• When moving heavy furniture, completely pick it up rather than sliding it across the floor to best protect your wood flooring.
• Try not to let people walk on the wood floor with stiletto-healed shoes as these can cause damage.
• In the kitchen place a rug in front of the sink area.
• Several years of hard use may require recoating to restore the finish. A recoat can be done with a minimum of inconvenience. The floor should be coated when it shows signs of wear; do not wait until it has worn to the bare board.