Walk Off Mats and Rugs

Use good quality, dirt-trapping walk-off mats at all exterior doors to prevent dirt and sand (which can act like sandpaper) from entering your home. Use area rugs on high traffic pathways and pivot areas: at ends of steps, near doorways, etc. 

All rugs should allow floors to breathe. Avoid rubber-backed or non-ventilated rugs. Use no-slip rug underlayment made especially for hard surface flooring to prevent your rugs from moving.

Floor Protectors

Always put felt protective pads on the legs of your furniture. They allow the furniture to be moved easily without scratching or denting your floors finish and can also provide a sound deadening barrier.
Replace your felt pads often as dirt and grit can become embedded in them or as they become worn.

Everyday Maintenance

Vacuum, dust or sweep regularly to remove dirt and grit that can damage your floor's finish. A good maintenance routine with the manufacturers recommended cleaner should be completed once a week or as often as needed depending upon the traffic in your home. 

Use a vacuum or soft broom for dry spills and abrasives. If possible turn off the beater bar on your vacuum, use a hose or wand with an upholstery attachment.

Use Proper Cleaning Products

Wipe up food or other spills immediately using the manufacturers' recommended cleaner and a soft cloth. Never use a household dust treatment, oil soaps or furniture polish on your hardwood floors  as this may cause your floor to become  slick or dull the finish.

High Heels

Keep high heels in good repair. Heels that have worn down or lost their protective cap exposing the steel support rod will dent and pit wood, fracture tiles or stone and perforate vinyl. A person in stiletto heels weighing 125 lbs. exerts approximately 2000 lbs. of pressure per square inch!

Wood and water don't mix!

Never wet mop a wood floor. Excessive amounts of water can cause your wood floor to swell and cup. If "a little is good then a lot must be better" does not apply to cleaning hardwood! Lightly misting your mop or the floors surface in heavily traveled areas is the best way to apply cleaner. Never use more cleaner that what is required.

Plants and Planters

Never place potted plants directly in contact with your hardwood flooring, even if they are placed in waterproof saucers. Condensation can develop under these saucers and damage your flooring.
To avoid this place your plants on trivets or stands so that air can circulate underneath.

My Floor is Changing Color!  Exposure to Sunlight

Your wood floor will oxidize in strong light causing the wood to change color. To avoid an uneven appearance, move area rugs occasionally (once a month is suggested) and drape or shade large sun-facing windows.

What about Wax?

Never wax a urethane floor. By doing so you forever change the ease of maintenance associated with today's no-wax finishes. Waxing a urethane floor also prevents you from re-coating your floor in the future as the urethane will not adhere to the wax.