Caring for your hardwood

There is nothing like the true beauty, richness and warmth of a hardwood floor. The stain resistant, water resistant urethane finish keeps spills from ever touching the wood surface. Most problems can be prevented by wiping up any spills as soon as they occur. As with any floor covering material, a few moments of care can go a long way in keeping your new hardwood floor looking its best. Use your flooring manufacturer's recommended floor care products. These products have been specially formulated to help keep your hardwood floor looking its best. Your United Carpet retailer carries cleaning products and Touch-Up kits for repairs.



Never clean your hardwood floor with water.

Do not use soaps, detergents, "oil soaps" or maintenance products intended for other flooring surfaces. United Carpet has products in stock to help you maintain your new hardwood flooring.

Prevent dirt and moisture from being tracked onto your hardwood.

Use mats and area rugs to help keep your floors clean. Don't use rubber, foam back or plastic mats as they may discolour the floor. To prevent slippage of area rugs, use an approved under cushion. Use outdoor mats at the entrances of exterior doors to keep dirt and moisture from being tracked in.

Sweep and vacuum often.

The factory applied polyurethane finish on your hardwood floor is very tough but grit (sand and small stones) can scratch it.

Wipe up spills as soon as possible.

Wipe spills before they get sticky or dry. Remove dried spills with a cloth or scrub pad dampened with cleaner specifically for hardwood flooring.

Use floor protectors when moving furniture.

When moving heavy furniture or appliances slip a blanket or carpet, face down, under the furniture and slide furniture carefully. This will avoid scratching and gouging. Place felt floor protectors under the feet of furniture to avoid scratching.

Never wax a Polyurethane finished floor.

If the finish shows signs of "dullness", renew it by recoating with a good quality, non-yellowing polyurethane finish. Follow the manufacturers' instructions on recoating methods and procedures. By recoating periodically (depending on foot traffic and maintenance), your floor will always look great and you will never have to resand the floor.

Avoid walking on your hardwood floor in high heel shoes.

Due to the extremely high compressive force that high heels generate, they will cause denting and related damage to your hardwood floor.