There is nothing that compares to the magnificent look of a well maintained natural hardwood floor. If you have taken the effort and spent the money to install a new floor or refinish an old floor, you probably want to protect your investment and take steps to keep your hardwood floors from damage and looking elegance and beautiful for many years to come.

There are many simple precautions that you can take to help retain the luster of your floors. Regular cleaning including sweeping and vacuuming your floors of debris is one of the easiest ways to protect it from scratches. Here are a few more tips to help keep your hardwood floor looking good:

Don’t expose the floor to too much sun. The ultraviolet rays from the sun are one of main causes of discoloration in hardwood, no manner the finish or stain on it. Try to shield your floor from direct exposure to the sun by installing a screen or curtains on your windows.

Some hardwoods turn a lighter color from being exposed to the sun, while other hardwood flooring materials such as oak and cherry will tend to become darker. To slow down the discoloration process, a water-based urethane finish can be applied to your floor. Oil-based finishes are okay but they have a tendency to turn yellow or amber when exposed to sunlight.

You can also try moving your furniture and rugs around the room to even out any discoloration.

Keep the floor dry. Water or other spills can cause serious damage to hardwood floors. Wipe up any spills as soon as possible before the moisture has a chance to work its way under the surface of the hardwood, which may result in warping, cracking or staining. Bear in mind that prefinished hardwood floors may not be completely waterproof. The planks bottom and sides may not be coated and is exposed to the elements and moisture can easily get between the gaps in the boards and warp the wood from underneath.

You can provide a degree of protection by applying a coat of finishing to seal off the gaps and exposed areas; but remember that finishes will have to be reapply as the surface protection wears down. And never use a wet mop to clean your floor. Use only a very slightly damp mop when mopping up dirt and girt from hardwood floors. For truly sticky spots, use a water dampened rag or sponge to clean them by hand and immediately dry them with a paper towel or cotton cloth.

Do not slide furniture across the floor. Never drag heavy furniture over a hardwood floor; either carry the furniture to the spot where you want it, or place felt contacts under the legs to reduce friction with the floor if sliding the furniture across the floor. Felt contacts also cushion the weight of your furniture so they don’t make indentation on your floor.

Hardwood floors are attractive, durable and easy to clean. With just simple common sense care, you can protect your hardwood floor to ensure that it will provide you with a lifetime of enjoyment.