Tips for Keeping Your Hardwood Floors as Good as New

I adore the look of shiny, gleaming, brand-new hardwood floors. Unfortunately, life is a little too busy to keep any part of my home—let alone the floors—looking nice for long. If y’all are anything like me, you’re probably wondering how you can keep your gorgeous wood floors in good shape in the face of kids, pets, guests, and all the surprises life throws at us. I’ve got just the thing you need with these tips for keeping your hardwood floors as good as new.
Build Your Weekly Routine
I know what y’all are thinking: who has the time to spend hours every week cleaning floors? While a weekly cleaning routine can sound tedious, it goes a long way toward keeping your floors in good shape. It doesn’t even have to take long! Spend just a few minutes once a week to sweep your floors. This is even a great chore for kids to take on as they start learning responsibility around the house. Sweeping once a week prevents dirt, hair, and dust from building up and grinding into the beautiful finish of your wood floors. A little effort now keeps you from needing to deep clean later on.
Equip Yourself With the Right Tools
When the time comes to clean your floors, what do you clean them with? One of the most crucial tips for keeping your hardwood floors as good as new is to find the right tools and cleaner. I recommend a dry mop for sweeping up dirt and dust in those hard-to-reach places. Y’all should also have a safe hardwood cleaner on hand. If your cleaner is too harsh, it can ruin the finish of your wood or the air quality in your home. Look for wood-specific cleaners and steer clear of products with harsh chemicals.
Floor-Healthy Habits
Prevention is the best medicine, right? This theory applies to your floors, too. There are a few habits and practices y’all can implement around the house to prevent damage to your gorgeous wood flooring. One of the easiest things to do is have a no-shoes policy. Wearing shoes inside the house tracks in dirt and other debris that can harm your floors’ finish. I also always keep an old towel nearby to quickly wipe up spills if they happen. Drying spills quickly prevent any moisture from seeping into the floor. When you build floor-healthy habits like these, you stop damage before it even occurs, preventing your floors from water damage, ruined finishes, and other problems that can ruin their appearance.