Today it is easier than ever to maintain a hardwood floor. Factory finished floors are sealed with either several layers of lacquer, oil or a wax finish.

This means quick and easy cleaning with either a dust mop (i.e. swiffer), vacuum cleaner or a broom. A damp cloth can be used for spills, and when necessary, general cleanup on floors which have non-waxed polyurethane or a similar surface finish will keep your floor clean and stain free. For a waxed floor that is properly maintained, depending on the traffic, may only need waxing once or twice a year. Your hardwood floor will change with you, becoming more mellow with age, adding warmth and beauty to your home, all that is needed to give the wood new life is light sanding and lacquering and it will be as good as new.

Wood and water don't mix. No matter what finish your wood floor has, SmartWood Flooring recommends, never pouring water onto the floor. While a damp cloth may be used on polyurethane and other surface finishes, excessive amounts of water seep between the boards and into small scratches causing deterioration of finishes. A damp cloth should only be damp to the touch, and should be thoroughly wrung and not dripping.

Wax-coated finishes should NEVER be cleaned or maintained with water, not even a damp cloth, as water can cause a wax finish to become dull or leave water spots.

Good preventative maintenance lengthens the intervals between major renovation such as re-coating, re-waxing and refinishing. Here are some basic tips that apply to all type of floor finishes.

• Keep grit off the floor. Use mats at all exterior doors to help prevent dirt, grit or sand from getting inside. Dirt and grit are any flooring's worst enemy, and that includes carpets and vinyls as well as wood.
• Put soft plastic or fabric-faced glides under the legs of your furniture, this will allow it to be moved easily without scuffing or scratching the floor.
• Never wet-mop a wood floor. Standing water can dull the finish and damage the wood leaving a discoloured residue.
• Wipe up food and other spills promptly with a damp cloth.
• Keep heels on shoes in good repair, especially high heels. Heels that are worn away exposing the steel support rod will dent any floor surface.
• When moving heavy furniture, completely pick up the furniture and carry it, rather than sliding, to best protect the wood flooring.