Regular Matenance 
Regular maintenance is as easy as sweeping or vacuuming with a soft floor attachment. You can occasionally wipe the floor with a damp mop or cloth. Never wet-mop a wood floor, as standing water can damage the wood, dull the finish and leave a discolored residue. Remember wood and water do not mix.

Many of the products found at supermarkets are not recommended by the manufactures, as they contain acids or oils that can discolor your floor.
Always check the manufactures recommendations for specific products they may recommend to keep your floor looking new and beautiful.

Preventative Maintenance

• For wood flooring in the kitchen, place an area rug in front of the kitchen sink
• Place soft plastic or fabric-faced glides under the legs of furniture to prevent scuffing and scratching
• Do not walk on your wood floors with cleats, sports shoes or high heels. Keep your pets nails trimmed
• Use a humidifier throughout the winter months to keep wood movement and shrinkage to a minimum
• Rearrange your area rugs and furniture periodically as this will allow the flooring to age evenly
• When moving heavy furniture, do not slide it on wood flooring. It is best to pick up the furniture completely to protect the wood flooring

It is recommended by most manufactures that you do not have a temperature difference of more than 20-25 degrees. For example you should never let your home get hotter than 80-85 degrees, and never cooler that 60-65 degrees. Large variances in temperature can make your wood expand and contract, which may result in movement of the floor.

Going on Vacation? If you live in a dry climate and are going to leave your home for 5 days or more it is important that you keep humidity in the air. Fill up your sinks and bath tubs with water, to help keep humidity in your home while you are away.

If you have chosen a laminate floor, it is still important to remember that you should avoid standing water on this type of surface. As laminate is not as susceptible to humidity and temperature change, some of the other preventative maintenance may not apply. As with any product always review the recommendations of the manufacture.