You finally have the exquisite hardwood flooring you have always wanted. Unfortunately, many home owners make the mistake of not taking the time to learn about the best way to care for their flooring. Here are some simple rules of thumb to keep your hardwood flooring looking gorgeous for a lifetime.

It is important to know what kind of floor you have. Is it oak or cherry? How has it been sealed? This is important because it determines how to care for it. If it's sealed with polyurethane, for example, you do not want to wax it. If you inherited the floor with the house, try asking the previous owners for information. You can also search the Internet for a match.

If you still cannot figure it out, consider consulting a professional. It may seem like an unnecessary expense, but it's worth it. The cost pales in comparison to the expense of having to have the floor refinished because you made a mistake.

The next step is to purchase the right floor care products. Do not just use any cleaner! The chemicals in many cleaners can ruin the finish and even damage the wood. Testing it on a hidden spot will not work either. The damage may not show up right away. You will want to look for a pH neutral cleaner designed specifically for hardwood flooring.

There are two things that are torture to a hardwood floor. The first is dirt. Any dust or dirt, even fine dust, will scratch your floor. Avoid brooms and sweepers that push the dirt around. You can scratch it even more! Look for a dust broom that lifts particles away from the floor surface. You can also use a brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner. Just be careful that the wheels of the vacuum are not scratching the floor. Swipe the wheels with a damp rag before you start cleaning.

Another way to keep dirt in check it so put down rugs in high traffic areas. It will not only keep dirt from getting all over the room, but it will reduce wear in those areas. It's important to shake out the rugs and sweep under them daily though. Otherwise the dirt can filter through the rug and scratch the floor underneath.

The second thing to be aware of is water. Any pools of water, even small ones, can damage hardwood flooring. If sweeping is not enough, damp mop the floor. The mop should be barely damp though. As little water as needed to get the job done. If you have a spill, clean it up with a soft, dry cloth immediately.

Another thing to keep an eye on is the area under plants. Warping and water rings are a huge problem, and one that homeowners often forget about. All plants should have a leak-proof water-catch tray under them. You will need to be vigilant to make sure no water is seeping under the tray and getting trapped there. Trapped water like this is certain to make refinishing necessary.

Hardwood flooring is a great investment that can substantially raise the value of your home. As with anything, you will get out of it what you put into it. Take the time to do the simple things listed above and you will keep your hardwood floors looking great for a very long time.

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