The biggest threat to hardwood flooring is dirt and grit that gets ground into the surface of the finish, causing ugly scratches and a worn finish. If the floor is abused or left unattended, dirt will become imbedded into the unprotected surface of the wood, making ugly dark areas within the floor. On average, homeowners sand and refinish their wood floors every 15 to 25 years, to make them look brand new again. To make the finish look and last the longest, it is recommended to vacuum or sweep up dirt and grit off the hardwood floor weekly using the recommended cleaner and a soft bristle brush attachment to prevent scratching. Using the wrong cleaner can damage the finish and cause premature fading.

Prevention is key when it comes to safeguarding your new hardwood floor. Use doormats at all entrances from outside to trap dirt before it has a chance to reach hardwood. If you have pets, especially big dogs that run in the home, make sure nails are trimmed and accidents are cleaned up immediately. Make sure you apply chair glides to furniture legs. You can find a variety of sizes and colors to fit your needs here. Avoid moving large/heavy furniture/appliances by dragging them on hardwood flooring. Spiked/Stiletto heeled shoes are also a danger to hardwood flooring; some can cause dimples in the surface of the wood.

Never Use: Water and/or Vinegar, Furniture Polish, Wax-Based products, Detergents, Bleach, Polishes, Oil Soaps, Abrasive products or Acidic materials to clean hardwood flooring. Water can seep into the seams of the wood causing delamination of the finish, cupping of the edges of the boards and discoloration of the wood itself. Spills should be wiped up right away. Liquid spills left standing on hardwood flooring can seep into wood through the seams and will result in problems like warping and buckling boards.

There are specially designed mops which feature reusable terry cloth covers. These are perfect for picking up dust around corners of your room and won't harm you new hardwood floors.

When your new hardwood floor is in need of a more thorough cleaning, make sure to use a cleaner made specifically for hardwood flooring. It's best to use cleaners with no wax in them. Apply the cleaner directly to the floor and then use a terry cloth mop to clean the surface.

Because hardwood flooring is a natural product, it's inevitable that your floor will pick up some signs of use and wear over the years, especially in higher traffic areas. If your hardwood floor needs to be "refreshed," Bona Kemi (a leading supplier of hardwood/laminate floor cleaners) makes a Hardwood Floor Refresher, which will restore the gloss level on your floor.