Hardwood floors are basically synonymous with stylish interiors these days -- and you already know that they require special care compared to other flooring choices. (For instance, they're the one thing you can't always clean naturally with a little vinegar and water.) However, there are a few things you're doing on a daily basis that are gradually ruining your floors...without even realizing it. Consider this your warning. Skipping The Welcome Mat Just imagine having sandpaper on the bottom of your shoes. That's what it's like walking in from the street and onto your hardwood floors, says Chris Sy of Carlisle Wide Plank Floors. "In commercial spaces they call them walk-off rugs, because they want you to walk off all the stones or dirt or grit and grime on the bottom of your shoe. The hope is that your feet are cleaner by the time they hit the floor."Or A Runner By The Sink "Just think about where you stand a lot or walk a lot." Trying To Keep Your Throw Rugs In Place

A throw rug can go from pretty to pesky in 2.5 seconds, or the minute they start sliding around underfoot. But Sy recommends resisting the urge to tack them down with double-sided tape. They can actually stick to a hardwood floor and it's almost impossible to get it off," he says. "Even when you pull it off, it can pull some of the finish with it." That goes for sticky, cushiony mesh-style rug pads, too. Instead, try a rug pad made of natural materials and make sure it doesn't have a sticky finish. "When you sit down on the couch, if it's not on a rug, it's going to slide a little bit and over time that'll make for some obvious aggressive wear right where the foot of the couch is," Sy says. "They make two-inch rubber disks that aren't for the moving of furniture, they actually help to keep the couch from sliding around." Bringing The Outdoors In "In my house, it's where the kids come in from the pool. They run inside and stand right in front of the door. While they're drying off there are puddles on the floor," Sy says.

For others it's spots like where you take off your rain boots or underneath that plant and you haven't lifted off the floor. Puppies For Sale In New Brunswick NjAnother place where your wood flooring is susceptible to water damage? T Shirt Division 88"Around dog bowls," Sy adds. Light Bulb For Samsung Dryer"Those are all area that should have a rug or a plastic tray." "A lot of people mop with too much water and the more that water seeps down into the seams of your floor and builds up under your floor, it can cause negative movement," Sy says.Or Using The Wrong Cleaner "There are hundreds of different kinds of finishes and each one can have a different type of cleaner that's required." Sy cautions that you might be using a cleaner that has heavy chemicals in it or even one with wax, which can build up on your floor -- not a good thing.

"Make sure whatever your day to day or short-term maintenance is, you're doing it in accordance with the product you have." "People don't maintain the floor at the right point," Sy says. "They let it go too long and all of a sudden that high-traffic area where you didn't have a rug, is worn away." If you see light scratches in high traffic areas, repair those boards (some finishes will require you to do the whole room over). It's easy to lightly buff and apply one coat of urethayne finish vs. sanding the whole thing down, re-staining and refinishing. Pet nails can, over time, wear scratches into your floors. Cutting your dog or cat's nails isn't the most fun way to spend one's evening, so consider outsourcing this task to the groomer. Cleaning Hardwood Floors How To Clean Hardwood Floors Floor Care Hardwood Floor Damage Wood FlooringFlooring, particularly surfaces such as hard wood and linoleum, can be prone to cosmetic issues such as scratches, marks, and dings. Floor waxing is a method of cleaning and polishing floors that not only gives them a renewed shine, but also helps to protect them from more damage.

There are several different ways to wax different floor materials, and also several different products available for use on hard floor surfaces. No matter which method you choose, waxing your floors is an excellent way to preserve them for many years to come. There are a few different ways to wax a floor, but each way requires that the flooring surface is clean and dry before applying the wax. You can opt to use a mild detergent and water mixture, a specialized floor cleaner or just vacuum away any excess dirt and debris before waxing. Regardless of the cleaning method, the surface must be completely dry and as clean as possible before application. Using mineral spirits is an excellent option that will ensure the floors are as clean as possible. This helps to ensure that the wax cures properly to the floor and that no dirt will show through it once it’s dried and ready to enjoy. In some cases, people opt to remove the prior layer of wax before applying a new coat. In order to do this, you must use a wax removing chemical or stripping agent.

This chemical will eat away at the existing layer of wax without damaging the floor beneath. If you decide to use a wax stripper first, be sure that you have the proper ventilation and that you use gloves and masks to help keep you from touching or breathing in the fumes from the chemicals. This method is a bit more time consuming, but it can also help to ensure that your floors look amazing and almost brand new when you apply the new coat of wax. Aside from the different methods of waxing floors, there are also several different floor waxing products available on the market today. An inexpensive way to quickly wax your floors is to use a product called paste wax. This inexpensive and easy method can be applied quickly and does not need much time to “cure”, or stick to the floor’s surface. It requires touch-ups from time to time, but is a great way to add shine to the floors without the intense work and cost. For a high shine finish, you’ll want to purchase something a bit more potent.

Usually, these products are referred to as sealants or high shine finishes, and can be found in many home improvement stores. Depending on the type of shine and protection you desire, you can choose from several different floor finishes. An oil-based urethane can be purchased in a gloss, semi-gloss line sheen, or a more matte type sheen which is a muted coverage. Anything containing oil usually requires several coats, and it’s important to remember to allow for drying time in between each coat application. Another type of floor wax called a moisture-based urethane is a bit more heavy duty, lasts a long time, and provides remarkable coverage against scuffs and scratches. This product is usually applied by professionals and has a very volatile scent, so it should be used with caution. Of course, you can always opt to use traditional wax, which will give your floors a nice shine and protect them from stains. Keep in mind, however that wax requires maintenance including buffing on a fairly regular basis to keep its shine.