Protect the natural beauty of your new hardwood floors from Broadway Carpets Inc.
Once your new floors are installed, it’s up to you to care for them. With just a few simple maintenance steps from our experts, you can protect your investment and keep your hardwood flooring looking like new for many years to come.
General Cleaning Tips:
- Use a damp cloth to blot spills and spots as soon as they happen. For tough spots from oil, paint, markers, lipstick, ink, tar, or cigarette marks, use acetone or nail polish remover on a clean white cloth, then wipe the surface with another damp cloth. Always avoid allowing liquids to stand on your floor.
- Sweep, dust, or vacuum the floor regularly with the hard floor attachment (not the beater bar) to prevent the accumulation of dirt or grit that can scratch or dull the floor’s finish.
- Occasionally wipe your floor with a damp mop or cloth.
- Periodically clean the floor with Shaw R2X Hard Surfaces Flooring Cleaner, available in our showrooms.
A few things to avoid:
- Don't use oil-based cleaners, wax, polish, strong ammoniated cleaners, or abrasive cleaners.
- Don't use steel wool or scouring powder.
- Don't wash or wet-mop the floor with soap, water, oil-soap detergent, or any other liquid cleaning material. This could cause swelling, warping, delamination, and joint-line separation, and void your warranty.
- Don't use any type of buffing machine.
Other routine care instructions:
- For spots from candle wax or chewing gum, harden the spot with ice and then gently scrape with a thin plastic scraper, being careful not to scratch the surface. Wipe clean with a damp cloth.
- For tough stains, use Shaw's R2X Hard Surfaces Flooring Cleaner, available in our showrooms.
- Do not use any type of buffing machine.
Use protective mats
Good quality entryway mats will help collect the dirt, sand, grit, and other substances such as oil, asphalt, or driveway sealer that can otherwise be tracked onto your floors from outside. Do not use rubber- or foam-backed plastic mats as they may discolor the flooring. To prevent slippage, use an approved vinyl rug pad.
Use floor protectors on furniture
Use floor protectors and wide-load-bearing leg bases/rollers to minimize indentations and scratches from heavy objects. As a rule, the heavier the object, the wider the floor protector should be.
Maintain relative humidity level
Maintain a normal indoor relative humidity level between 45 and 65% throughout the year to minimize the natural expansion and contraction of wood.
- Dry Season (Winter): We recommend a humidifier to prevent excess shrinkage due to low humidity levels. Wood stoves and electric heat tend to create very dry conditions.
- Wet Season (Summer): An air conditioner, dehumidifier or periodically turning on your heating system can maintain humidity during the summer months. Avoid excessive exposure to water during periods of inclement weather.
Avoid sharp objects
While your hardwood floors are some of the most wear-resistant floors on the market, sharp or pointed objects can still damage them.
Watch your feet
Don't walk on your flooring with stiletto-style heels, spiked golf shoes, or cleats. They may cause indentations in your flooring.
Watch your pet's feet
Keep your pet's nails trimmed to keep them from scratching your floors.
Rearrange your rugs and furniture
Periodically rearranging your area rugs and furniture will allow the flooring to age evenly. UV sunlight from windows will soften the tone of different species of hardwood to varying degrees.
Protect the floor when moving
Use a dolly when moving heavy furniture or appliances. But first, put down a sheet of quarter-inch plywood or Masonite to protect the floor. Never try to slide or roll heavy objects across the floor.
