Hardwood floors are a highly desired feature in a house and for many, are a sought after detail when in the home buying market.
In theory, hardwood floors are easier to maintain in comparison to carpet because they are way less absorbent and can be cleaned with a simple towel or sweeping. However, with time, it’s easy for hardwood floors to become scuffed and for patches of color to fade away. This is why it's imperative to maintain proper treatment to keep your hardwood floors gorgeous for years.
Try not to clean your floors with water
Bear in mind, wood is an organic product, so the use of water can affect its cellular structure. Over time, this may include swelling of the wood and possible decay. If you need some sort of intense clean, you can use a lightly damp mop, rung out for excess water; however it’s best to abstain from using water on your hardwood floors altogether.
Instead, opt for sweeping and periodically vacuuming your hardwood floors to remove dirt and dust.
Make your floors pet friendly
Even though beloved pets such as cats and dogs can be a joy to have in the home, their claws and dirt tracked in from the outside can put wear and tear on your hardwood floors. To prevent floors from being scratched up by your pet's claws, consider using the following tips and tricks:
- Lay rugs or mats in areas your pet tends to rest and play.
- Trim claws on a consistent basis.
- If you’re installing a hardwood floor, consider purchasing wood highly ranked on the Janka Hardness Scale.
Use scuff protectors on the legs of your furniture
Every time you sit on or rearrange furniture, pieces that have legs can cause scuff marks and scratches on your hardwood floors. To protect your floor from this stress, consider adding protectors to the legs of your furniture.
Some of these protectors are stickers that go unnoticed at the bottom of the furniture leg, while others almost appear sock like.
By using the aforementioned tips, you can keep your hardwood floors beautiful and clean for years to come.
About the Author
Kyung Kim
Hi, I'm Kyung Kim. I immigrated from South Korea to the United States in 1968 when I was 7 years old. I have seen my mom struggle with the English language and work hard to raise her four kids by herself. Still to this day, I don't know how she pulled it off, but she bought her first home in 1979 for $70,000 and because of that decision, she was able to live without worrying about her financial future. I want that for everyone, to feel the pride of home ownership and to build their financial wealth using real estate as part of their financial portfolio. I feel so blessed to play a small role in helping others reach this goal.
I live in Beaverton with my husband, Richard. My mom, who lived with us for several years, passed away in our home in February 2022. Her first home purchase in 1979 made it possible for her to live to the very end, without worrying about her finances. As of August 2022 with a little downpayment assistance, our four children own their own homes. Being in real estate, I quickly realized that if they didn't buy now, they may be priced out of the market in the future. Whether that would have been the case, we will never know, but what we do know is that they are all realizing some good, healthy appreciation in their home values.
As passionate as I am about people owning their homes, I'm also passionate about giving back to our community. I support Compassion First, a non-profit organization that provides aftercare for sex trafficked girls in Indonesia. My husband and I also feel called to financially support social injustice organizations.
I'd love to assist you. Whether you're in the research phase at the beginning of your real estate search or you know exactly what you're looking for, you'll benefit from having a real estate professional by your side. I'd be honored to put my real estate experience to work for you.
