Hardwood floor care is not rocket science but still depends on various factors such as the type of wood, as well as the finish. Ideally, you should have all the information given to you by the company you purchase the flooring from when you purchase it.

Make sure you get all the instructions when you do floor shopping and choose the type of flooring based on your needs. Sure, hardwood floors look incredible, but they don’t pair too well with kids or pets. In those cases, vinyl flooring might be a better solution.

If you’re buying a new home with hardwood floors already installed, you should get the information from the realtor.

Don’t worry – caring for hardwood floors is not as challenging as you might think. With the right know-how and some precaution, your hardwood floors can stay fresh for years to come. We spoke to the cleaning experts at Mulberry Maids to learn more about what experts had to say about hardwood floor care.

Take Precaution

Using a rug over a hardwood floor, especially areas with high traffic density such as the hallways or thresholds can help you both save your hardwood floor and make cleaning easier. This is especially true if you have pets.

A rug is not only a great way to protect your floor, but a great decorative element that can do wonders for your design overall. They are a cheap and effective way to give your home a new look if you’ve been itching for a remodel for a while.

Make sure to always add a rug pad under the rugs you’re using. They add extra slip protection, but also protect the floor from scratches and stains.

Leave The Shoes At The Door

You should make a dedicated spot at the entrance where your family and your guests will leave the shoes before walking into your home. Everyone spending time in your home should get used to putting the shoes away as soon as they walk in.

It might be difficult to get kids used to this rule, but if you manage to do it, you will save yourself a lot of trouble (and scrubbing).

But stains aren’t the only thing you need to be worried about. High heels are notorious for leaving dents in hardwood floors.

Take Care Of Your Pets

Anyone who has a dog (particularly the irresistible kinds with their puppy eyes) are familiar with the scenario where after walking outside in the mud or snow, as soon as you open the door your dog rushes in and gets all of that dirt all over your home.

Make a habit of cleaning your pet’s paws before you go back into your home. It might be a bother sitting out in the cold, but it’s going to be well worth it. Keep a few cleaning supplies at the front door at all times so you can do this efficiently. Train your dog to stand at the towel until you’ve wiped their paws clean.

Another common issue with pets is scratching. Make sure to keep your pets’ nails trimmed if you fear they might damage the floor. Alternatively, you could look into pet boots, that your pets can wear inside the home.

However, in most cases, training your pets to simply walk slowly and carefully while inside your home will do the trick.

Do Some Daily Maintenance

You wouldn’t believe how helpful it would be if you could take five or ten minutes away from your day every day to do some light maintenance on the flooring. This can prevent dirt and grime buildup, as well as excess hair (pet or human alike). If not, you’ll likely have to enlist deep house cleaning experts to get rid of the persistent buildup.