Maine Traditions Hardwood Flooring

Care Guide

Maintaining Your Hardwood Floor

In order to maintain your hardwood floor and keep its beauty and value follow the simple steps below.

• Quickly wipe up all spills, excessive fluids and hardwood floors do not match.
• Use furniture felts under all chairs, tables, couches, and other furniture pieces you have on your hardwood floors.
• Use area rugs near couches and chairs to protect the floor from heavy foot traffic, as well as in the kitchen to protect against the dropped utensil or dish around stoves, sinks and dishwashers.
• Use entrance rugs for outside entrances to protect the floors from excessive sand and grit buildup or track in.
• Use special care with sharp objects such as sports shoes and shoes with hard heels.
• Always move furniture with care so as not to scratch your floors.
• Keep pet claws groomed

Long Term Care

Moisture is one of the worst enemies for a hardwood floor. During periods of high humidity you should use a dehumidifier to control the moisture in your home. High moisture causes cupping in wood floors. During dry periods such as during the winter when your heat is on, you should use a humidifier to control the moisture in your home. Low moisture causes your floor to shrink and create gaps between the boards. The ideal relative humidity level for your hardwood floors is between 45 and 55% year round. Gradual changes are best for maintaining the care of your floor.

Sand, grit, hard heeled shoes, and water are the highest causes of damage to your floor. Control these and you will maintain beautiful floors for years to come.

Over time the Sun can also change the look of your floor by changing the color of the wood. Your finish contains UV protection to help ease the changes the sun will cause over time, but will not fully protect your floor. To help your floors age gracefully you should move furniture and area rugs around the room allowing covered floor surfaces to age with the exposed surfaces. This will also allow you to enjoy different looks of your floor as you change the layout of the room.