So you did it. You spent thousands of your hard earned dollars on a brand new hardwood floor, or you've invested in bringing your old wood floor back to life through sanding, staining and finishing. Your new floor looks fantastic, it has luster and beauty. But, now you think, "how can I keep it this way?"
It's no secret that a hardwood floor adds value to your home. But, one thing you might not be aware of is the fact that they can last forever. That is, if you treat them right. Yes, you read that correctly, just like a Japanese car or an American appliance from the 50's, your hardwood floor can last for decades. However, this does not happen by accident. Here's 5 ways you can keep your floor looking fabulous.
Number 1: Sweep it up, Johnny!
Sweep your wood floors!
This one is simple. Every few days, sweep up your floor. This not only keeps your floor clean, but also removes any small rocks that you or your family may have tracked in from outside.
Once these tiny rocks, grains of sand or rough little grits of dirt are on your floor, walking over them will press and grind them into the wood. This is not unlike sanding. Think of it this way, you're putting all of your body weight on these little rocks and pushing them into the floor. This is going to leave tiny indents, scratches or simply mar the sheen of the floor. After all, sand paper is essentially just rock paper! #TheMoreYouKnow.
Can you imagine rolling out the red sandpaper carpet across your new floor and clogging all over it? Of course not! Because nobody could've possibly wrote that sentence before me at this very moment in time. That was r/BrandNewSentence material! Sweep your floors folks.
Number 2: Put Down Some Door Mats!
Another easy win. Bona, a company that has spent the last 100+ years specializing in manufacturing finishes and stains for wood floors (that's right specifically wood floors), recommends putting one mat outside and one mat inside of each exterior doorway. The idea being that the exterior mat catches the heavier rocks and debris, while the inside mat can catch the remainder. Classic tag team/double duty scenario.
Number 3: Groom Your Dog's Nails.
You know that hard clacking sound you hear when your dog runs across your floor and slides into the back door? That's the sound of your floor being marred or scratched.
Does this mean you have to banish Fido to the carpeted living room or tile basement? No. Does this mean you get yet another responsibility as an adult and pet owner? Yes!
It is incredibly important to take your dog to the groomers at least once or twice a month and have them trim their claws. Nothing will ruin a hardwood floor faster than a big hyper dog with long claws. There's just no way around this point.
It's like if you were doing the Tom Cruise slide across your floor in golf cleats 20 times a day. Wood is not a strong enough material to hold up to this.
Number 4: Felt Pads
Put felt pads under every peice of furniture that makes contact with your floor. Think of it like putting little pillows down for all your stuff to sit on. My, what tender love and care you treat your furniture with! You must be a really swell person and stuff!
Number 5: Maintenance Coats.
Whether you have a strong protective film finish like Bona Traffic HD or a European style rubbed oil floor..
You're going to have get a recoat at least once every 2 years. You might be able to go longer if you are empty nesters who have no pets or grandkids. But, wood is real, and like an old car, it developes a petina and wear patterns.
So as soon as you notice "Hey, the floor is very dull and scuffed in the kitchen where we stand at the sink and stove for a half hour per day." Call a refinishing professional and get your floors recoated.
I know I know, "But this costs money!" Yes it does, but only 1/4 of the cost for a full resand, stain and finish. So you're actually saving money by spending money. Like spending money to change the brakes and oil in your car. Is it free? No. But is it cheaper than buying a new car? Absolutely.
Thanks for reading!
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