Flooring

Helpful Hints to Keep Your Hardwood Floors Looking Like New

(WMS) - Hardwood floors are a favorite option for almost every room in the home, including the kitchen. Their growing popularity is due in part to their tough, yet easy-care finishes. Whether your floors have just been installed or have been in place for years, here are some suggestions to help keep your wood floors looking like new, from the experts at Harris Tarkett.

GRIT, DIRT AND GRAVEL
Grit, dirt and gravel act like sandpaper on a hardwood floor; as they are tracked through the house, they can scratch the finish. To avoid this type of damage, place a doormat outside and a walk-off mat or area rug inside all entryways. Have family members and visitors wipe off their shoes on these mats before walking onto the wood floor. Be sure to vacuum or shake out the mats regularly. 

To eliminate tracked-in dirt that does find its way into the house, vacuum your hardwood floors regularly with a vacuum sweeper. Do not use a beater bar head or attachments intended for use on carpet. Never use household dust treatments. These may dull the finish or cause your floor to become slick.

SPILLS AND STICKY SPOTS
Wipe up liquid and food spills immediately before they dry, using a damp cloth or paper towel. For a more thorough cleaning, use only cleaning products recommended by your floor's manufacturer. Harris Tarkett, for example, markets a cleaner and a refresher, both premixed and ready to use. The cleaner removes sticky food spills, rubber heel marks and other foreign substances, while the refresher protects, enhances and restores the beauty of the company's Alumide no-wax finish. The company recommends using the cleaner and the refresher on an "as-needed" basis, depending upon the level of traffic in the rooms with hardwood. Never use water or oil soap-type products to mop or clean your hardwood floor. Be sure to thoroughly sweep or vacuum the floor before applying any type of cleaning product.

TAKE CAUTION WITH CLEANERS
The wood experts at Harris Tarkett advise caution when choosing general floor cleaners, especially the new all-in-one spray-and-mop systems. Some of these cleaning tools may contain solvents that are potentially damaging to your floor's finish. Others may dispense too much cleaner, which could mar the floor, particularly if the finish is worn in places. When it comes to cleaning, it's always best to follow the flooring manufacturer's recommendations rather than risk voiding a warranty if, over time, these products damage the floor finish or the wood itself.

TIPS ON FURNITURE AND PETS
Here are some additional tips to protect your floor's surface:
Round-head chair glides and narrow wheels on furniture legs can permanently scratch or dent your hardwood floor. There are a variety of felt protectors and furniture coasters available that help reduce this type of damage, use these under all table and chair legs. If you must have casters on the floor, make sure they are at least one inch in width. For extremely heavy items like pianos, use weight cups to evenly distribute the weight at each leg.

Pets offer special challenges, but there are steps you can take to minimize any potential damage. Pets with long nails can scratch and dull your floor's finish, requiring additional maintenance. Keep your pet's nails trimmed, no matter how large or small it is. Also, make sure your pets are properly housebroken. Pet urine, if not wiped up immediately, will leave a black stain that will not sand out.

TOUCH-UP KITS
Even if you have the best care and maintenance regimen, accidents can happen. Many manufacturers offer touch-up kits and fillers that let the homeowner easily repair scratches, gouges, burns and other minor damage that may occur over the life of the floor. Harris Tarkett's Retouch Kit, for example, contains a stain marker and a patch-it pencil to match the color of the wood. It also includes a bottle of touch-up that seals repairs and restores the floor's original luster.

For more information on the care and maintenance of hardwood floors, check out the "Frequently Asked Questions" area on the Harris Tarkett Web site at www.harristarkett.com.

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PROPER CARE AND MAINTENANCE
 will keep the hardwood floor of this newly renovated kitchen looking new for years to come. The floor is Harris Tarkett's Coach House Hickory in corn silk with the easy-care Alumide enhanced aluminum oxide finish.

Local Resources

Arthur Whitcomb

Carbone's Window & Awning