- Be sure to sweep the floor regularly, to keep grit from scratching the surface. A soft bristle broom is highly recommended or a dust mop.
- Quickly wipe up spills or any excess liquids to keep the wood from absorbing it which will then result in the wood swelling up. Use a dry cloth, and use water based cleaning solutions.
- Vacuuming helps keep grit and dirt out of the cracks between the floorboards.
- Place area rugs in spots around tables, beds or chairs that might be prone to spills.
- Be careful when moving furniture, as this is a good way to scratch the surface of the wood flooring.
- Keep drapes closed to minimize fading from the sun.
- Don't let water-based cleaning solutions dry up on a hard wood floor, or it could warp and swell.
- Don't use a mop to clean a waxed floor.
- Don't use a vacuum that has beater bars because these will scratch the floor.
- Don't use anything with hard bristles, like scrub brushes or hard bristle brooms, as this will also damage the floor surface
- Be sure you are using cleaning solutions made for a wood floor to keep from ruining the finish.
- Don't try to repair gaps in your wood floor, let a professional do it to avoid further damage to the floor.