Too many homeowners mistakenly believe that hardwood flooring is difficult to maintain. Yes, a hardwood floor requires some work, but so does every type of flooring. Whether it’s vacuuming, sweeping, mopping or refinishing, all floors require work — but with a hardwood floor you get a natural beauty that can last for a few lifetimes.

The key to lasting beauty with hardwood floors — no matter what type of finish you have — is following a proper cleaning and maintenance schedule.

The basics:

	Sweep, dust mop or vacuum dirt and grit regularly to remove grit and dust that can cause damage.
	Wipe the floors with a lightly dampened cloth.
	Use area rugs and mats in high traffic zones or areas where damage may occur — such as the dining room table.
	Use floor protector pads on the bottom of the legs of tables and chairs.

If you have a new floor finish all you need to do for the next few years is take the time to clean and maintain that finish. How often you’ll need to wash the floor depends on the amount of use it gets. Generally speaking once a month, or maybe even less in some areas, should be fine. For product, you’re best to either use the floor manufacturer’s recommended cleaner or another cleaner that has been specially formulated for wood floor finishes.

A few words of caution: Prior to cleaning the floor, make sure to dust mop or vacuum thoroughly first, always follow the product directions carefully and never, ever wax a pre-finished floor.

Remove scuffmarks or stains by applying a small amount of floor cleaner to a cloth and rubbing the area lightly. Whenever you use a damp cloth or mop to clean the floor, make sure to buff it dry with a clean rag so no residue remains.

If you get a scratch you can fill it (very carefully, using a small brush) with floor finish. Check the directions to be sure you’re using it correctly. A total recoating — which should be professionally done every few years, depending on how much wear the floor gets — will take care of any smaller scratches that you haven’t touched up.

If you don’t have a pre-finished floor then you will need to wax the floor periodically, again, depending on how much wear and tear the floor receives. Although this sounds like a laborious process, this is a much easier task today than it was for our grandmothers. The newer waxes are simply applied and left to dry.

The floor will need a complete sanding down and refinishing every 20 to 30 years. A small spot sanding can be done in a damaged area if need be.

Restoring an old wood floor is a job best left to the flooring professionals. A well-finished hardwood floor is easy to maintain and keep looking beautiful. A poorly finished floor is nothing but a headache.

By following a proper maintenance schedule, your floor will look as good as new for many, many years to come.