Hardwood floor care tips: area rug & pad, felt pads, how to clean

16 years ago

Hi,

We are finally going to have our hardwood floors installed! We are so excited but I am getting a little nervous and paranoid on how to maintain and care for them properly.

I was wondering if you would please pass along your tips on the use of felt protectors under furniture and replacing the casters on office chair with rubber casters. We know not to use a plastic chair mat. We also have an upright piano that I am concerned about. It has wheels on the front legs. Any suggestions?

Also, we are looking for an area rug and pad (for underneath our dining room table). Are there any type of rugs or pads we should not use on oak hardwood?

Finally, what should we use for everyday cleaning and for special cleaning? Based on what I have been reading, I was thinking of looking for a Bona microfiber mop.

Thank you, thank you to all of the "pros" here for all of your valuable advice along this long journey! I appreciate any advice you can provide.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

kiko_gw
16 years ago
We are getting our 20 year old hardwoods refinished right now because they are trashed! Here are the "really" bad things we've noticed. Do not push your furniture across the floor! It will leave gouges. Buy tons of felt protective pads in all different sizes and put them on EVERYTHING. You also need to replace them frequently and keep the pads clean (if there is any grit or dirt on the pad the protective pad turns to sandpaper). Put an area rug under the sink/DW and water dispenser to catch drips (and shake and clean under rugs regulary so no dirt is trapped under them). Our kids have plasma cars and they have destroyed the floors so I would say no wheels at all on the floor. Don't push that piano! Swiffers or dust mops are great and help keeping it clean.
mountaineergirl
16 years ago
The guy that installed our hardwood floors 11 years ago said to only use vinegar/water on them. About 2 years ago we had another adjoining room done (and it matched perfectly) and he buffed up the rest of the floor and put another coat of poly on it. The only spot that gets scratched is under the bar stools because idiots like to tilt back the stool when sitting on it. I have taken sand paper and lightly buffed area and (with a paper towel) smeared some of the minwax (same shade used before) and it looked like new again. BUT, my advice is to not sweat it, you will get dents from things dropped, scratches etc but you learn to live with it. I would suggest a satin finish, not glossy as that will show scratches more (along with crumbs,dog hair etc). Hope this helps!
Related Professionals
Beaumont Flooring Contractors · Stamford Flooring Contractors · Milwaukee Flooring Contractors · Vancouver Flooring Contractors · Jackson Tile and Stone Contractors · Longview Tile and Stone Contractors · Webster Tile and Stone Contractors · Sheridan Tile and Stone Contractors · Ashland Kitchen Remodelers · Enfield Kitchen Remodelers · Chicago Kitchen Remodelers · South Bend Kitchen Remodelers · Elmira Kitchen Remodelers · Rochester Kitchen Remodelers · Cowansville Kitchen Remodelers
Conanc
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks....I am getting paranoid! :)
I guess it's like the new car phobia -- after the first ding, you get over it!
coffee bean
3 years ago
Hi @Conanc.

Which brand hardwood flooring did you install? How is it holding up?

I saw that you were asking for feedback concerning Appalachian flooring. I know this was long time ago - about 13 years ago:

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/2370757/does-anyone-have-experience-with-appalachian-flooring

Did you go with Appalachian? How is it holding up?