Chicagoland residents know that hardwood flooring is an investment worth protecting. Whether you’re preparing for a new installation or just looking to brush up on wood floor care, it is important to know the proper way to care for your flooring. Refer to our wood floor care recommendations below for guidance on maintaining your hardwood and you’ll help to ensure years of enjoyment.
With pets: Make sure that your pets’ nails are trimmed and that their paws are clean and dry. Be mindful that pets can sometimes bring items into the house that can scratch and stain hardwood floors.
Use a humidifier: It’s important to maintain a humidity level between 35 and 55% in your home. If the humidity drops or rises it can cause warping and change the texture or evenness of your hardwood floor. Wipe up spills immediately: Even with professional finishes, certain food and drink spills can leave serious stains on hardwood floors. Be sure to clean up any spills immediately with the proper hardwood floor cleaner.
Use the right cleaning products: Do not use any type of oil soap, paste wax or lemon household cleaning products that could compromise the finish in your hardwood floor. Also, be mindful that using a wet mop with excessive water can lead to damage.
Avoid walking in shoes: Spiked or pointed heels can gouge your hardwood past the point of buffing. Even everyday shoes can damage your floors. Little rocks or grains of sand can get caught in the sole of your shoe and 
scratch your hardwood. While scratches can sometimes be buffed out, it is easier to avoid scratching your flooring in the first place.
Window treatments: While M Craft uses the latest and best in wood floor finishes, we always recommend that you protect wood floor areas around windows from discoloration by using blinds or drapery to minimize fading caused by incoming sunlight.
Use rugs: Very high traffic areas can often be cared for with the help of rugs. Placing area rugs in a living room or kitchen can also help to guard against spills.
Moving appliances and furniture: Exercise caution when moving or replacing your appliances and furniture. No matter what type of finish is used, heavy or sharp objects will damage any wood floor – even if the finish is completely cured. While some believe that scratches can be touched up later, this is not always the case. Touch ups are not seamless, and we often need to refinish an entire room due to a few deep scratches. Take extra precautions like floor guards and dollies to avoid ruining your wood floors.
