Care for your flooring
Learn how to keep it looking great while standing up to the toughest household conditions.
Maintenance guidelines
- Use a damp cloth to blot up spills as soon as they happen. Never allow liquids to stand on your floor.
- For tough spots, such as oil, paint, markers, lipstick, ink, or tar, use acetone/nail polish remover on a clean white cloth, then wipe the area with a damp cloth to remove any remaining residue. Double check with your local Flooring Advisor to make sure you do not void any warranties. Test an inconspicuous area first!
- Sweep, dust, or vacuum the floor regularly with the hard floor attachment (not the beater bar) to prevent accumulation of dirt and grit that can scratch or dull the floor finish.
- Periodically clean the floor with cleaning products made specifically for hardwood or laminate floor care.
Protect your flooring to keep it looking new:
- Entry mats will help collect the dirt, sand, grit, and other substances such as oil, asphalt, or driveway sealer that might otherwise be tracked onto your floor.
- To prevent slippage of area rugs, use an approved vinyl rug underlayment.
- Use floor protectors and wide-load bearing leg bases/rollers to minimize the chance of indentations and scratches from heavy objects. As a rule, the heavier the object, the wider the floor protector.
- Avoid excessive exposure to water during periods of inclement weather.
- Keep your pets nails trimmed to prevent them from scratching your floor.
- Never try to slide heavy objects across the floor.
- A protective mat should be used for furniture or chairs with castors.
While cleaning is easy, there are a few things to avoid:
- Don't use oil based, wax, polish, or strong ammoniated or abrasive cleaners.
- Don't use steel wool or scouring powder.
- Don't wash or wet-mop the floor with soap, water, oil-soap detergent, or any other liquid cleaning material. This could cause swelling, warping, delamination, and joint-line separation, and void the warranty.
- Don't use any type of buffing machine.
As flooring demands evolve, it's crucial to adapt maintenance strategies to protect and enhance your home's foundation effectively.
Maintaining your floors properly ensures they continue to enhance your home's beauty and withstand daily wear. Following the outlined guidelines—promptly dealing with spills, using appropriate cleaners, and taking protective measures—will keep your flooring in peak condition. Remember, the right care not only preserves the aesthetic appeal but also the longevity of your floors. Embrace these practices to enjoy durable, beautiful flooring that stands the test of time and household conditions.
