Five Ways To Ruin Your Hardwood Floors

Having hardwood floors is one of the best decisions for your home! It’s got a ton of benefits, such as enhancing your home’s look down to its strength and durability. Plus, because it’s low maintenance and cost-effective to install, you’ll be able to enjoy quality flooring for a long time. But that’s only if you know how to maintain it the RIGHT way. Yes, there are things you may be doing that ruin your floors, despite thinking you maintain them well! But what is it?

Read on as I show you five ways to ruin your hardwood floors to avoid doing it.

Yes, there are ways on how you can ruin your hardwood floors and shorten its lifespan. That’s why it’s important to learn what you should avoid doing and learning how to clean your floors right. So here are the five common things people do that ruin their hardwood floors (without them knowing!):

1. You Use The Wrong Cleaning Products

Did you know that you can damage wooden floors because you’re using cleaning products which aren’t designed for your floor’s finish? Using generic chemical cleaners can actually be harsh, even when you apply it on the strongest or durably hardwood floors. That’s why it’s best to look at the labels of your cleaning products and do your research before purchasing, doing your research on what chemicals are safe and how much to use. Even using hard brushes can ruin floors, such as using brooms that have stiff bristles. This is because, sweeping with hard bristles cause tiny scratches, which are barely noticeable but begin to build up!

2. You Don’t Clean Up Regularly

Cleaning with the wrong products is one thing while not cleaning is another major mistake. If you forget to clean your hardwood floors and allow it to stain or let dust build up, then it will begin seriously damaging your floors n the long run. When you enter your rooms and allow loose sand or dirt in, forgetting to clean, then the floors act like sandpaper and have it uncomfortable to step on. No one wants to step on dirty floors that are slowly becoming damaged from the many footsteps and lack of cleaning! So make sure that you clean your floors regularly, especially when it’s a high-traffic area.

3. You Wear High Heels

This isn’t just limited to high heels, though! Wearing shoes that have abrasive or hard soles will take a toll on your hardwood floors. With high heels, however, they can gouge then ruin your flooring’s finish, damaging it without you knowing. That’s why I would recommend that you do not enter the room with high heels or any shoes with hard soles. It’s best to have soft house slippers instead. This doesn’t only prevent damage but it keeps the floors cleaner as well, which will make it easier to clean and maintain.

4. You Don’t Use Rugs or Mats

If you aren’t using rugs or mats, especially in high-traffic areas like hallways, then there’s a big chance of your hardwood floors getting damaged. Instead of using a ton of cleaners and hassling yourself to clean the floors every day, it’s best to just apply removable rugs then clean or replace them when dirty. It saves you a lot of time and effort!
Another way to help decrease the dirt and damage is through ensuring that you enter the home or room clean!

5. You’re Not Cleaning Floors Right

Last but not the least, you may be cleaning your floors regularly but not well enough! You have to map sure that you sweep all the dust correctly and use soft bristles, may it be with your broom or vacuum. And if you do want to polish or wash your floors, avoid using too much water, which can seep into your floors and cause expansion. You can easily search up on cleaning tutorials or ask help from trusted ones.

That is why I would recommend that you have your hardwood floors sanded and refinished, which will lengthen its lifespan while making it easier to clean!

Wrapping It Up

Your hardwood floors may be reliable and eco-friendly but you also have to make sure you take care of them well. This calls for following the proper ways to maintain the floors and what to avoid doing to ensure a longer lifespan. And if you have the budget, a floor sanding company will do wonders for your hardwood flooring!

I hope that these things that ruin hardwood floors helped you become more knowledgeable on what you should start doing for your floors today. So don’t wait any longer and start caring for the floors better!

If you have any questions or have tips on caring for hardwood floors, then comment down below. I would love to hear what you have to think.