Hardwood flooring is regarded as one of the most valuable purchases you can make in your home. It’s easy to clean and maintain and, with proper care, will endure a long time.
However, while hardwood floors are known to stand the test of time, a variety of factors, like shifting temperatures, humidity levels, and human activities can damage them.
To prevent long-term damage to your hardwood flooring, you need to be mindful of the many detrimental practices.
What Can Damage Your Hardwood Floors
Hardwood flooring can last a long time with proper care and attention. Make sure you don’t engage in any of these harmful practices.
- Not Using Furniture Pads
Hardwood flooring is prone to scratching. While some scratches are minor and easily repaired, others may become more difficult to repair in time. It makes no difference whether you’ve recently installed hardwood floors or have had them for a long time. One thing that you really need for all of your furniture is furniture pads. The more people use the furniture inside the house, the more it can move around and slide. Scratches and gouges can be caused by furniture sliding to and from its original position. Furniture pads can keep your furniture from shifting around while protecting your floor from scratches.
- No Welcome Mats to Greet People
Your doorway receives the most foot traffic of any room in your house. Because hardwood floors are prone to scratches, dents, and scuffs, having people walk in without an entry mat can be extremely detrimental. Shoes occasionally bring in mud, sand, or small rocks, which can cause minor to severe scratching. The welcome mat helps dust and clean dirt from the bottoms of shoes, keeping your floor from getting scratched.
- Leaving Water to Dry on Its Own
Water is the enemy of your hardwood floor. Wood, by its very nature, is porous and can quickly absorb water. If you frequently allow water on your floor to dry on its own, you’ll certainly notice some difficult-to-remove damp spots later on. Water also causes the board to raise and cup, resulting in uneven flooring. Even though your hardwood floors have been coated and waxed, there is no guarantee that your hardwood flooring is waterproof.
- Cleaning Using the Wrong Techniques
When it comes to hardwood floors, you must be extremely careful in choosing and using your cleaning supplies. Using a mop, for example, is an effective way to clean hardwood flooring. However, you need to wring out your mop completely, so the excess water won’t be absorbed by the floorboards.
- Applying Harmful Chemicals to Your Hardwood Floors
Using the incorrect cleaning material can greatly damage your hardwood. Your hardwood floor has a unique finish that could react badly if you use the wrong cleaning product. Make sure you talk to hardwood flooring experts about what kind of cleaning chemicals you should use.
- Irregular Hardwood Maintenance
Inconsistent hardwood upkeep can transform basic and easy-to-fix problems into irreversible damage. Simple things like water spills or superficial scratches can worsen over time and become unfixable if you don’t take care of them at once.
- Setting Furniture in One Place for Too Long
If you’ve had your furniture in one spot for a long period, you may notice some changes in colour on your hardwood flooring. Discolouration can be caused by the sunlight entering the room. Areas that aren’t covered by furniture, rugs, or mats will discolour over time.
Basic Care Tips For Your Hardwood Flooring
It’s time to understand how to prevent damage to your hardwood floors:
- Do Some Dusting Daily and Cleaning Weekly
Scratches on your floors can be caused by dust. That is why it’s critical to dust your floor on a daily basis. Clean your floors on a regular basis to remove any filth or dust that was missed during your daily dusting.
- Use Furniture Pads
Protecting your flooring from scratches can be as simple as using furniture pads. Your dining chairs, as well as some other useful tables or chairs, are continuously being moved from one location to another, and furniture pads can ensure that your furniture’s legs or wheels do not damage the floor. There are also furniture pads that prevent furniture from moving, such as those for dressers or dressing tables.
- Move Furniture Around Every Once in a While
Discolouration can be avoided by moving your furniture around. Remember to shift your furniture and rugs about on a regular basis, especially if there is a lot of natural light in the space. By relocating them, you can ensure that all areas of your floor receive some sunlight.
- Use the Appropriate Cleaning and Polishing Materials
It’s critical that you apply the proper floor treatment when cleaning your hardwood floors. Using the incorrect one can result in serious and perhaps irreversible damage. Make sure you know what topcoat or finishing has been put on your hardwood so you can figure out what would work best. Scrape off a little piece of the topcoat and bring it to your nearest reputable store for consultation if you can’t remember.
Hardwood flooring is a wonderful addition to any home. It’s extremely long-lasting and offers a traditional and timeless design element. You can enjoy the beauty of your hardwood floors for years to come by avoiding the most common destructive practices and behaviours and following appropriate cleaning routines on a regular basis.
If you’re considering installing hardwood floors in your Toronto home, you’ll need a trustworthy partner, and Capital Hardwood Flooring is here to help. Call us at 416-536-2200 or email us at [email protected].