We all have at least one hallway or area in the home that ends up collecting dirt and other debris from an excessive amount of foot traffic, no matter what we do! Whether you have lots of company, full-time kids, active fur-babies, or all of the above, an abundance of feet tromping through your home can take a toll on your stunning hardwood floors. What’s the solution? Keep reading for some helpful ways to maintain your hallways, despite how busy things can get.

Hardwood floors and moisture are not compatible, so keep them away from each other at all costs. One easy way to keep water from the outdoors from damaging your floors is by using area rugs or runners in foyers, hallways, or anywhere else you have a lot of foot traffic. Dirt will also get trapped in the rug and you can easily shake it out, vacuum, or machine wash it. In addition, area rugs will protect the floors from becoming scratched by pet nails, the heels of fancy shoes, or any nasty grit that gets carried inside.

Daily sweeping or dust mopping, or as frequently as your schedule will allow, will go a long way in keeping your hardwood floors in great condition. Spend a few minutes collecting crumbs, dust, and especially anything abrasive that could scratch your floors. If you notice any mess that doesn’t easily sweep up, wipe it away with a manufacturer-approved wood cleaner and paper towels to keep things looking spotless.

Even if you sweep daily, dirt and pet hair can still settle into the cracks between the planks of your flooring. Vacuuming weekly will pull all that out of the grooves and make cleaning your floors easier! Always make sure to disengage any beater bars on your vacuum first, and review your hardwood warranties before investing in a robot vacuum cleaner.

Using a product approved by the manufacturer, plan to deep-clean your hardwood floors every month. Follow the instructions provided and if you’re in doubt, test the product in an inconspicuous spot before use. A good cleaning routine will ensure you remove any dirt and grime that was overlooked and keep your floors looking cared for, without risking damage to them.

Also, don’t wash your hardwood floors with a bucket of suds! You will do more harm than good. Before wet-mopping or using a Swiffer WetJet system, always review your hardwood manufacturer’s guidelines to maintain your warranties. Use the least amount of liquid as needed and always ensure that the wood surface air dries within a reasonable amount of time.

If it’s been at least over a decade, and your hardwood floors appear more shabby than chic, consider having them refinished. Genuine hardwood floors can be refinished multiple times since they are solid wood, through and through. This isn’t something you’ll want to do too often as it requires preparation (like possibly a hotel stay), and can be a dusty and smelly experience, as things are sanded down and then coated with polyurethane. When completely properly, the results are wood floors that look new, at a fraction of the cost of having new planks installed.

Whether it’s time to establish a new care routine or totally refinish your hardwood floors, visit our knowledgeable staff at Carpet Advantage Company Inc. We can help you out with product suggestions, or recommend a professional who can help you tackle your flooring issues. And if it’s time for a total flooring overhaul, we can help with that too!

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