How to Care for Hardwood Floors
Keep grit off the floor and water off the finish. Sweep, dry dust mop or vacuum on the bare-floor setting often; clean as needed with a product made for your floor's finish and a damp, well-wrung mop; and never use a wet mop, string mop or steam mop. Wipe spills right away, put felt pads under furniture, use breathable rugs at entries, and keep indoor humidity steady. Your flooring manufacturer's care guide always comes first.
A simple care routine
| How often | What to do |
|---|---|
| Daily, or as needed | Sweep or dry dust mop high-traffic areas and entries |
| Weekly | Vacuum with the bare-floor setting, a soft brush head or suction only (no beater bar) |
| Monthly, or as needed | Clean with a hardwood cleaner recommended for your finish, using a damp microfiber mop |
| Right away | Wipe spills, pet accidents and tracked-in water with a dry or slightly damp cloth |
| Every few years, or as needed | A maintenance coat of finish by a professional when the floor looks dull, following the manufacturer |
Grit is the main cause of everyday wear: it acts like sandpaper under shoes. Getting it up regularly does more for the finish than any cleaner.
Products to use, and to avoid
Use the cleaner your flooring manufacturer recommends, or one made for finished wood floors. Avoid:
- Vinegar, ammonia, bleach, acetone and alcohol-based cleaners, which can dull or damage the finish
- Oil soaps, waxes and furniture polish on factory-finished floors, which leave a residue and can interfere with a future maintenance coat
- Steam mops, wet mops and string mops, which push water into seams
- Power scrubbers and abrasive pads
If you aren't sure what finish you have, check the product name on your paperwork or ask the store that sold it. When in doubt, a dry dust mop is always safe.
Humidity and temperature
Wood gains and loses moisture with the air around it, so steady indoor conditions are the single biggest factor in a stable floor. NWFA recommends keeping homes between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit and 30 to 50 percent relative humidity year-round. Some manufacturers set their own range. Provenza, for example, specifies 65 to 85 degrees and 35 to 55 percent, so follow the guide for your product.
In Southern California, dry Santa Ana winds and air conditioning can pull humidity down quickly. Small seasonal gaps between boards in dry months are normal and usually close when humidity returns. A hygrometer costs little and tells you when to run a humidifier. Engineered hardwood moves less than solid, which is one reason it is common in slab homes.
Protecting the surface
- Felt pads under every chair, table and sofa leg; check and replace them as they wear.
- Rugs and mats: use breathable or felt-backed mats at entries and the kitchen sink. Rubber-backed mats can trap moisture and discolor the finish.
- Footwear: avoid stiletto heels and sports cleats on hardwood; they dent any species.
- Pets: keep nails trimmed and wipe paws on wet days.
- Sunlight: UV light changes the color of wood over time. Use window coverings in strong sun and move rugs occasionally so the floor ages evenly.
- Moving furniture: lift it rather than sliding it.
Textured and matte finishes
Wire-brushed and matte floors hide wear well but hold a little more dust in the grain. Vacuum with a soft brush head so you lift the dust out, and use the same damp-mop method as on smooth floors. Our natural and wire-brushed European white oak cleans the same way.
A new floor's first weeks
New floors start with good preparation: the wood acclimates and the subfloor is checked before boards go down, as described in how we prepare every hardwood install. After installation, follow the manufacturer's timing before putting rugs down or doing a full damp clean, and keep the protection habits above from day one.
For product questions, from species to finishes, see our hardwood floor options.
See the boards before you decide
Questions about a floor you're considering? Visit our showroom at 21030 Victory Blvd, Woodland Hills, or book an in-home consultation. We bring flooring samples to your home. Call (818) 963-0878. Glamour Flooring is a family business serving the area since 2007, a licensed flooring contractor (CSLB #1005283) that installs the floors we sell.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a steam mop on hardwood floors?
No. NWFA and flooring manufacturers advise against steam mops, wet mops and string mops, because heat and water can damage the finish and get into the seams. Use a damp, well-wrung microfiber mop with a hardwood cleaner.
Is vinegar safe for hardwood floors?
It isn't recommended. Vinegar and other acidic or harsh cleaners such as ammonia and bleach can dull the finish. Use a cleaner made for finished wood floors or the one your manufacturer recommends.
What humidity is best for hardwood floors?
NWFA recommends 30 to 50 percent relative humidity and 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit year-round. Some manufacturers set their own range, such as Provenza's 35 to 55 percent, so follow your product's care guide.
Are gaps between boards in winter normal?
Small seasonal gaps in dry months are normal, because wood shrinks as it loses moisture. They usually close when humidity rises. Keeping humidity steady with a humidifier reduces them.
What is the best way to protect hardwood from furniture and pets?
Put felt pads under furniture legs, lift furniture rather than sliding it, keep pets' nails trimmed, and use breathable, felt-backed rugs instead of rubber-backed mats.