Maintaining wooden floors is a tough job but can be made easy by regular maintenance. The extent and the method of taking care of wood flooring depend on the sealing agent used. Various sealing agents include varnish, shellac, polyurethane and lacquer of which, polyurethane requires least or no maintenance. Here are some tips to make your wooden floors sparkle.
 
* Never use water to clean wooden floors except for polyurethane sealed floors. However, a damp cloth can be used to mop the floor.
 
* Vacuum or sweep the floor regularly to get rid of sand and dust. Abrasive materials cause scratches on the floor and deteriorate the quality of wood. Use of door mats at the entrance traps all the dirt. Spread area rugs in heavy traffic areas.
 
* If anything spills on the floor, clean it immediately. It is recommended to use mild cleaning agents as soap based cleaners form layers on the floor.
 
* To protect the strength of wood floors it is essential to give proper care for finishing. Various types of finishing that can be used include varnish, shellac, polyurethane, and lacquer. However, to maintain the finishing in good condition and retain the shine, it is essential to use a maintenance coat of either wax or polish. Please remember that this maintenance coat of wax should not be used for polyurethane floors.
 
* The cycle of warm and humid climates creates squeaks in wood. They can be corrected by applying liquid wax, powdered soap or powdered graphite.
 
* It is quite common to see water stains on wooden floors. They can be cleared by gently rubbing with sand paper followed by refinishing and waxing. Most of the stains like cigarette burns, ink stains etc can be cleaned by using steel wool. If chewing gum gets stuck to the floor, never try to scrub it hard. Scrubbing will damage the floor. Wait until it breaks up and any remaining stain can be eliminated by using a floor cleaner.
 
Regular cleaning and maintenance of the wooden floors not only eases the process of cleaning but also increases the life span of the floor.

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