Perhaps it is tradition that makes hardwood flooring so appealing. Imagine the dark woods of libraries and grand studies or the rich-hued plank flooring of cabins and chalets. Hardwood flooring also lends an elegant touch to modern homes. The selection woods such as maple, oak, and cherry, as well as a wide range of finishes result in colour choices to complement almost any type of furnishing.

New research also indicates that hardwood flooring can be a healthier choice than wall-to-wall carpeting. Carpet captures and holds dust, mould, dust mites, and bacteria. It is also rather difficult to clean and in most cases carpeting also releases chemical fumes (the "new carpet" smell). Hardwood flooring does not require the occasional steam cleaning needed by carpeting. For better or worse, hardwood flooring also shows the dirt, pet hair and dust bunnies that accumulate on the floor. Perhaps that is another reason hardwoods are healthier: we tend to clean them more often because they show the dirt!

Today's polyurethane coatings give hardwood floors a protective coating that is durable, resistant to moisture and relatively easy to maintain. A commonly used coating is water-based urethane that produces fewer fumes than oil-based versions and does not yellow with age. The latest trend in finishes is to include elements such as aluminum oxide that extend the life of floors and enhance the abrasion-resistance qualities of the floor. Some manufacturers report that this finish is 10 times more abrasion-resistant than other finishes.

Whatever type of polyurethane coating you have on your hardwood floors, it is important to provide regular care and cleaning. The following tips should help you preserve your floors for years to come.

Water is anathema to hardwood floors. Your floor will quickly lose its lustre if exposed to water. If water is left to stand, more serious damage is also possible, including warping and discolouration. Wipe up any spills immediately with a soft, dry cloth. You may also wish to use a fan to draw off moisture from larger spills.

Hardwood floors do require frequent sweeping or vacuuming with a soft bristled attachment. If dirt and grit remain on the floor, the result can be dullness or scratches. This is especially true for high traffic areas or places where furniture, such as office chairs, move across the floor. Furniture guards should be used under feet of furniture.

Use doormats at the entrances of your home to help trap dirt and grit. Clean them regularly. Shoes and umbrellas should be stored on a shelf or a plastic liner to prevent rain and snow from soaking the doormat.

Do not mop clean your floors with soap and water. This method often allows water to remain on the floor long enough to penetrate the wood. Instead, use a cleaner approved for hardwood flooring that is not water-based. There are new low-fume products available. Ask at your local hardwood-flooring retailer.

You can use soap and water or vinegar and water solutions to clean up small spills and stains if the solution is rubbed on and wiped off almost immediately. Even 30 seconds is enough time for water to penetrate the hardwood.

Avoid using throw rugs with rubber or vinyl backing. Some materials in the backing can react with certain floor finishes, discoloring or causing the finish to become dull. However, if slipping is a concern, you can purchase backing, cut into strips and attach to your rugs. In this way you can prevent the rug from slipping with less potentially damaging rubber or vinyl coming in contact with your floor.

Crayons, candle wax and chewing gum seem magnetically drawn to floors and magnetically attached! Try scraping these residues off with a sharpened blade, taking care not to scratch the surface. Another option is to apply ice until the substance becomes brittle enough to break off. If you use ice, make sure you remove any spots of water immediately. A third option is to apply cleaning fluid on the surface of the floor surrounding the spot. It will seep under the substance and loosen it.

Light can interact with chemicals in some species of wood causing oxidization. As a result, light-coloured wood tends to become darker and dark-coloured woods can develop an uneven appearance. If a room receives strong mid-day sun, it is advisable to close the curtains or place rugs on the floor.

Never apply a wax to a floor with a urethane finish. It will create a dull wax build-up and can in some cases damage the finish.

Repairs and Touch-ups Most minor stains and scratches can be removed with the help of a touch-up kit available from any hardwood-flooring retailer. Refinishing will only be necessary once the weekly care fails to restore the floor's shine.

If the polyurethane coating on your floor is becoming worn, it is more susceptible to oil and grease stains that can penetrate deeply into a floor. To remove these stains, apply a small amount of mineral spirits with a cotton ball and wipe clean with a clean cloth. Buff to restore shine.

With a few precautions and regular care, a hardwood floor can be a beautiful feature of any home and a shining asset.

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