Your hardwood inlay flooring looks beautiful, but over time, it's easy to collect dust and track dirt, so it does need to be regularly cleaned. But you want to protect the quality of your floors and keep them looking beautiful forever, so there are certain steps you can take to carefully clean your hardwood floors.
Hardwood flooring is generally more durable than soft woods, and typically more expensive. This doesn't mean that they can't be harmed, however, only that you want to try particularly hard to avoid any damage. After all, it costs an average of $5,800 to add hardwood flooring to a home in the U.S., and home buyers are inclined to spend an extra $2,000 for a home with hardwood floors.
Tips for Safely Cleaning Hardwood Inlay Flooring
- When moving heavy furniture, make sure you slip a piece of cloth under the legs, or cover each leg with a heavy sock, in order to protect your floors.
- Put plastic or fabric-faced glides under the legs of furniture to prevent scuffing and scratching.
- Remember that cleats, sports shoes, and high heels can dent any floor surface.
- Never wet-mop a wood floor. Standing water can dull the finish, damage the wood, and leave a discoloring residue.
- Wipe up food and other spills immediately with a dry or slightly dampened towel.
- Place mats and throw rugs at doorways, exteriors, and interiors to help prevent the tracking of grit, dirt, and sand.
- Sweep or vacuum wood floors regularly.
Hardwood floor inlay designs can be difficult to replicate if the floor is damaged, so it's important to avoid doing so. If you're getting a new floor installed, be sure to ask the flooring company if they have any recommendations for keeping your wood inlay flooring safe from damage.
|
