Post-Installation Hardwood Floor Care Guide

Congrats on your recent Hardwood floor installation! Below are some care guide topics to follow in order to maintain the integrity of your new floor.

The Do’s

Use a soft cloth to blot spills and spots as soon as they happen. Always avoid allowing liquids to stand on your hardwood floor.
Sweep, dust, or vacuum the floor regularly. If vacuuming, use a hard floor attachment to avoid scratching or dulling your floor’s finish.
Clean the floor with Shaw Floors Hard Surface Cleaner, specially formulated to wipe away dirt and soil without damaging your floor’s finish.

Don’t use oil-based, wax, polish, or strong ammoniated products, which can dull your floor’s finish.
Don’t use steel wool, scouring powders, or other abrasive cleaners, which can scratch or damage your floor’s finish.
Don’t wash or wet-mop the floor with soap, water, oil-soap detergent, or any other liquid cleaning material. This could cause swelling, warping, delamination, joint-line separation, and void the warranty.
Don’t use any type of buffing machine.
Do not drag anything heavy across the floor.

Remove sticky substances, such as candle wax or chewing gum, by applying ice to harden the substance and then gently scraping with a plastic scraper. (Tip: A credit card works well.) Be careful not to scratch the flooring surface. Wipe clean with a damp cloth.

Use entry mats to collect dirt, sand, grit, and other substances such as oil, asphalt, or driveway sealer that can be tracked onto your hardwood flooring. To prevent slipping, use an approved vinyl rug underlayment. (Tip: Avoid rubber- or foam-backed plastic mats as they may discolor the flooring.)
Use floor protectors and wide-load-bearing leg bases or rollers to minimize indentations and scratches from heavy objects. (Tip: The heavier the object, the wider the floor protector should be.)

Maintain indoor relative humidity between 35% and 55% year-round to minimize natural expansion and contraction of wood:

Heating Season (Dry): Use a humidifier to prevent excess shrinkage due to low humidity. Wood-stove and electric heat create dry conditions.
Non-Heating Season (Wet): Use an air conditioner, dehumidifier, or periodically run your heating system to maintain proper humidity during summer. Avoid excessive water exposure during inclement weather.

Use care with sharp objects.
Remove shoes with spiked or damaged heels before walking on your hardwood floor; they can leave scratches or indentations.
Trim pets’ nails regularly.
Rearrange rugs and furniture periodically to allow the flooring to age evenly.
Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight, which can soften the tone of different hardwood species and accelerate oxidation and aging.
Protect the floor when moving heavy furniture or appliances by using a dolly. Never slide or roll heavy objects across your floor.