| Your business and residence contain a variety of | | | | floor, cabinets, or furniture. If you are building a new |
| wood surfaces that need care and cleaning to look | | | | home or remodeling, keep your hardwood from |
| their best. Here are 20 tips for taking care of your | | | | damaging exposure by having new building materials |
| hardwood floors, furniture, and cabinets. | | | | delivered to an enclosed space. Also, make sure all |
| GENERAL UPKEEP | | | | your doors and windows are properly installed and |
| 1. Know how hard your wood is and act accordingly. | | | | closed before work with hardwoods begins. Ideally, |
| Kiln-dried hickory and pecan are the hardest of the | | | | your contractor will store hardwood flooring or lumber |
| hardwood species. Next on the list is hard maple. | | | | in the room where it will be installed so the wood can |
| Other hardwoods, in decreasing order of hardness, are | | | | adjust to the moisture content of that space. |
| white oak, beech, red oak, yellow birch, green ash, | | | | 9. Use a sealer. |
| black walnut, soft maple, cherry, hackberry, gum, elm, | | | | Apply a sealer at hardwood cut marks to prevent |
| sycamore, alder, yellow poplar, cottonwood, basswood, | | | | moisture from seeping in at the exposed area. Also, |
| and aspen. Treat these latter hardwoods with extra | | | | apply a sealer to surfaces that will get heavy traffic or |
| care. | | | | constant use because they will also need frequent |
| 2. Clean regularly. | | | | damp-cloth cleanings. |
| If allowed to accumulate, debris acts like sandpaper on | | | | 10. Install a vapor barrier. |
| hardwood. | | | | Never install hardwood over a damp subfloor or newly |
| 3. Select the right product for the job at hand. | | | | installed drywall. Dry out the area and install a vapor |
| Removing a scratch? Use light sandpaper, a matching | | | | barrier first. |
| stain, and a protective coat of polyurethane. Restoring | | | | 11. Use protective pads. |
| the finish? Choose a wax or oil recommended by the | | | | Encourage family and guests to place coasters under |
| hardwood manufacturer and apply it exactly according | | | | their drinks. Use pads on hardwood tabletops. Place |
| to the instructions. Doing a light cleaning? Use | | | | warm objects on hot pads or trivets. Use felt or a |
| non-alkaline dishwashing soap and a damp sponge to | | | | tablecloth under sharp objects like cut glass bowls, |
| clean, making sure to dry the area immediately. Avoid | | | | picture frames, vases, and lamps. |
| the use of too much water, ammonia, and abrasive | | | | 12. Wipe up water spills immediately. |
| cleaners. Be aware that some products like linseed oil | | | | In the past, builders refrained from using hardwoods in |
| leave a residue, and other products may stain your | | | | moisture-prone settings like bathrooms, basements, |
| clothing if you lean against the polished surface. Silicone | | | | and kitchens. Now, hardwoods can be coated with |
| sprays may also break down the wood. | | | | polyurethane and still retain their natural look. Simply |
| 4. Use the right tools. | | | | wipe off cleaning products, liquid splashes, food and |
| Choose a vacuum without a beater bar and brushes. | | | | beverage spills, or pet accidents as soon as possible. |
| Select a broom with exploded ends. Use a microfiber | | | | OTHER WAYS TO CARE FOR AND PROTECT |
| dust mop. Dust and polish with soft, clean cloths. | | | | YOUR HARDWOOD |
| 5. Remember you are often cleaning the hardwood's | | | | 13. Filter sunlight that shines on hardwood floors and |
| finish rather than the hardwood itself. | | | | furniture with drapes or blinds. |
| Unless you are looking for a stain to match the color | | | | 14. Move hardwood furniture away from heat sources |
| of a hardwood like cherry, products designed for a | | | | like fireplaces. |
| specific wood serve no purpose. Choose the product | | | | 15. Apply a protective sealant to hardwood floors and |
| that is best for the wood's finish instead. | | | | work surfaces. |
| 6. Protect your hardwood floors from scratches and | | | | 16. Use a cutting board instead of chopping on your |
| wear and tear. | | | | wood countertop. |
| Use a welcome mat or two to catch dirt and debris at | | | | 17. Keep brass polish off your hardwood by removing |
| the door. Sweep up dirt weekly; daily is even better. | | | | it before polishing. |
| Never drag furniture across your hardwood floor. | | | | 18. Clean the glass of a hardwood cabinet by spraying |
| Instead, place felt pads under the legs of furniture, | | | | cleaner on a cloth first. |
| especially pieces like dining room chairs that are | | | | 19. Remove plastic from hardwood surfaces to avoid |
| moved frequently. Ask guests not to wear high heels, | | | | sticking and discoloration. |
| soccer cleats, skates, or muddy shoes past the front | | | | 20. Be wise. If a child shouldn't consume it or you can't |
| door. Keep wheeled toys outside. | | | | pronounce it, it probably shouldn't be left on your |
| AVOIDING MOISTURE, HARDWOOD'S NEMESIS | | | | hardwood. |
| 7. Maintain constant humidity. | | | | Why do it yourself? Leave the care and cleaning of |
| Air condition in the summer and use a humidifier in the | | | | your hardwood floors, furniture, and cabinets to your |
| winter. This will minimize the expanding and contracting | | | | professional cleaning team. They have the expertise, |
| done by natural hardwoods. | | | | tools, and products that will make your hardwoods |
| 8. Protect your hardwood from the elements. | | | | glow so you can enjoy them for a lifetime. |
| Close windows before raindrops blow in and on the | | | | |