How To Clean & Care for Hardwood Flooring

When you buy and install an eco-friendly wood floor from Staybull™ Flooring, you’ll own a green floor that will last for decades. However, caring for and maintaining a hardwood floor is still essential. NOTE: All hardwood flooring products on the market, regardless of the finish will scratch and dent. It’s the nature of the wood itself and, for many people, adds character to their home and/or business.

Consider the following guidelines. Generally, these rules apply to all brands of solid hardwood flooring, not just Staybull Flooring™. Don’t take caring for your hardwood floor lightly. You’ve invested time and money to make your home or business beautiful.

How to Maintain a Hardwood Floor

• To remove particles such as dirt, dust, debris, and residue you can:
  • Use a vacuum or soft bristle broom to remove any particles, dirt, or dust.
  • Dry mop or use a microfiber dry mop wetted with a floor cleaner made specifically for pre-finished hardwood.
• Immediately clean food and other spills with a dry or damp towel.
• For kitchen applications, catch water and other spills by placing an area or mat in front of the oven and kitchen sink.
• Placing protective pads under furniture and stationary chair legs should reduce scratches and dents.
• Trimming the nails of your dog, cat, and other pets should minimize scratches.
• Place doormats (and if you prefer an indoor area rug) in front of any exterior doors and entranceways. Keep doormats dry and clean to ensure that dirt, debris, and moisture are minimized and not tracked onto floor.
• It’s a good idea to move your area rug around. Why? Photosensitive hardwoods might not uniformly transition their color if an area rug is placed where it blocks natural light. If you notice any area that has not caught up to the rest of your flooring, don’t worry. Over time this area will match the color of the matured flooring area.

Note: Hardwood flooring can scratch and become permanently damaged if you:

• Wear stilettos heel shoes, or damaged shoes that need repair.
• Move furniture and chairs around without protective pads.
• Fail to pick up and/or properly clean any moveable object that uses casters.

What Not to Use on a Hardwood Floor

• Rubber, foam back, or plastic mats as they have been known to discolor prefinished flooring.
• Ammonia, bleach, any harsh chemicals or prefinished floor cleaning products that is not specifically for prefinished hardwood floors.
• Sheet vinyl, tile floor care products, or furniture sprays or oils.
• Wax-based products on a prefinished hardwood floor. Acrylic waxes create a slippery surface and will give the wood a dull and opaque appearance.
• A wet-mop as standing water will damage wood and can create discoloration.

Wood Flooring Maintenance & Care Guide (.pdf)