Many of us have beautiful hardwood floors in our homes, and unfortunately some of us do not know how to properly take care of our hardwoods. Here are care and maintenance "Do's and Don'ts"
DO's
·Do vacuum and sweep your floor frequently, especially in high-traffic areas. ·Do keep pets' nails trimmed and their paws free of dirt, gravel, grease, oil, and stains.
·Do use protective window coverings to block fade-causing UV rays and excessive heat from direct sunlight, and rearrange rugs and furniture periodically to help your floor age evenly.
·Do remove shoes with spiked or damaged heels before walking on floor.
·Do use a humidifier during heating seasons to help reduce wood shrinkage and a dehumidifier during the wet and high humidity times of the year to maintain proper relative humidity (between 35% - 55%)
DON'Ts 
·Do not wet-mop, damp-mop, or clean your floor with water or other liquids. ·Do not use hardwood floor-cleaning or buffing machines or steam cleaners. ·Do not use harsh cleaning aids such as steel wool pads, any scouring pads containing metal or scouring powders.
·Do not use 2-in-1 cleaners with polish that may contain acrylics or urethane polish to restore gloss.
Not to single out a particular manufacturer, but this is an example of a product that we do NOT recommend for use on hardwood floors. Notice it does more than clean--it shines! protects! revitalizes! These words tell you that there is some sort of wax or finish in the product. You do not want to put a do-it-yourself finish on your floors. Many times it will not adhere to your floor, or it is very splotchy or streaky. Please, just use cleaners on your floors. Google "XXXX product ruined my hardwood floors" and you will quickly see how many people are very sorry they tried these miracle products-----
Plus a few general tips:
A Clean Routine
Vacuum or sweep with a soft-bristle broom regularly, especially before using floor cleaners, to prevent gritty dirt and particle buildup that can scratch the wood's surface. Don't use vacuums with a beater bar or power rotary brush head. Wipe up spills and spots immediately with a wood floor cleaner (made by a flooring or polyurethane manufacturer) applied directly to a clean white cloth. Use ice to harden tough substances such as candle wax or chewing gum and then gently scrape with a plastic scraper, such as a credit card. Be careful not to scratch the flooring surface. Wipe area clean with a soft, slightly damp cloth.
Floor Mats Protect Your Floor
High-quality floor mats at entrances and exits are key to reducing wear. They collect and trap all the corrosive substances that can be tracked in from outdoors, including dirt, sand, grit, oil, asphalt, or even driveway sealer. Also use mats in areas of constant pressure, such as in front of vanities, kitchen sinks and stoves.
Protective Pads On Furniture -- A Good Idea
Attach felt or similar protective pads to all furniture legs, particularly heavy pieces. When you're moving furniture, appliances or other heavy objects, use a dolly; never slide or roll anything across the floor. If furniture has hard plastic or metal casters/wheels, use protective mats underneath or replace them with soft rubber casters.
Did You Know
The average consumer spends 137 days (almost 5 months!) gathering information before making a flooring purchase? So if you have just now started to think about a brand new floor for your home, we'll see you in December to install it for you! Seriously, if you are thinking about having major projects completed before the holidays, now is the time to begin the selection process. Thanksgiving is less than four months away. Enhance Floors & More is open seven days a week and is here to assist you in making your dream home a reality. How To Measure A Room
Many of our clients bring in measurements so that our Design Consultants can give them some rough pricing prior to the in-home estimate. Some floor plans that we see are very impressive, while others just aren't detailed enough to be of much assistance. We have compiled some tips on measuring your space for new flooring. (NOTE: The ballparks that we give you in the store or on the phone are just that----ballparks. We always need to see the job to assess all installation details and to take our measurements to ensure that you purchase the correct amount. As professionals, we know how to include hallways and closets, match patterns, plan seam placement, work with room irregularities, and account for rooms with widths greater than 12 feet.)
Floor Area = Length of room x Width of room
Wall Area = Height of wall x Length of wall
The foundation of a solid redecorating plan includes accurate dimensions of your living space. To start, we suggest creating an accurate Floor Plan. Here is what you will need to get started. Wall Area = Height of wall x Length of wall
· 25-foot metal tape measure. Look for one that locks and retracts. · Graph paper: The grid makes it much easier to sketch an accurate plan. · Drafting tools: A ruler, pencils with erasers, a clipboard.
Basic Measuring Instructions
· Before measuring, make a rough sketch of the basic floor plan, including walls, windows, hallways, closets and door placements. Don't worry too much about it being proportional at this point. · With your rough sketch in hand, start measuring. Measure in running dimensions as much as possible. Fix the tape measure at one corner and run the tape along the side of the room, taking note of the measurement each time on your rough sketch. Record the dimensions in feet and inches, for example 13' 6" NOT 162". · Make additional measurements and notes on the drawing as you see fit. These might include the ceiling height, trim width, flooring or wall materials, etc. · With your new measurements and a new sheet of graph paper, redraw your floor plan to accurately represent your room's proportions. · Make photocopies of the finished drawing. You can use the copies anytime you need to talk to a retailer about new flooring or window accents, or even when rearranging furniture.
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