Keep your floor in perfect condition

A properly laid and properly sealed wooden floor should be easy to maintain. But here are a few preventive measures that can keep your floor looking beautiful and keep maintenance to a minimum.

• Never use vinyl or tile floor care products on wood floors. These can cause wood to become slippery and dull.
• Place mats and throw rugs at doorways - indoors and outdoors - to help prevent grit, dirt and sand scratching the wood.
• Never use a wet mop a wood floor. Too much water can dull the finish, damage the wood and leave a residue.
• Wipe up food and other spills immediately with a slightly dampened towel.
• Don't over-wax a wood floor. If the floor dulls, try buffing instead.
• Put soft plastic or fabric-faced glides under the legs of furniture to prevent scuffing and scratching.
• Remember, some sports shoes and high heels can dent any floor surface.
• If you're moving heavy furniture, pick it up and carry it rather than sliding it over the floor.
• For kitchen floors, place an area rug in front of the kitchen sink - this area tends to get the heaviest wear.
• Use a humidifier in the home through the winter months to keep all wood movement and shrinkage to a minimum.