Just as your car needs a change of oil from time to time, your tires need their air pressure testing, and the radiator needs filling with antifreeze, your hardwood floor needs maintenance too.

Here are some tips on how to keep your hardwood floor looking as good as new.

Dirt and grit can really harm hardwood flooring because they act like sandpaper against it. To keep grit and dirt off the floor, place mats or small rugs/pieces of carpet near entrance doors to trap dirt before it gets on the hardwood floor.

Vacuum every week. Use the brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner to keep dirt off the hardwood floor. Sweep or use a dust mop often to keep dirt from settling on the floor. Do not, however, use dust treatments such as wood polish as this can make the floor slippery, it can dull the finish, and even make it difficult to re-coat properly.

Be careful with microfiber pads. These can be good for cleaning your hardwood floors but check with the manufacturer beforehand as microfiber pads can catch wood fibers causing the floor to splinter and expose unfinished wood.

It is vital that the wood finish is fully cured. Between seven and ninety days should be allowed depending on the type of finish. This is to prevent any rugs, rug pads, and pieces of carpet placed on the floor from affecting the finish and leaving a print or mark on the wood.

Rug pads should be used for any rugs you place on the hardwood floor (however, kitchen mats are okay without a rug pad). Rug pads should either be 100% non-solvent-based waffle-type rubber, an untreated natural fiber such as wool and jute, or one-quarter inch chopped urethane. Do not use any kind of sticky tape as the plasticizers can discolour the wood. The same type of plasticizers are also present on the back of some rugs.

For the kitchen, use rugs at places where you’re likely to see spillages such as near the sink, and at the stove and oven. It’s also a good idea to place a rug under the refrigerator. Cotton is the best fabric to use because it is easily cleaned. Because some finishes are affected by ultraviolet light and heat, which can cause wood and finishes to change color and age more quickly, move area rugs occasionally, and shade large windows.

Always clean up spills promptly. Use a dry cloth or a paper towel. For sticky spills use a lightly moistened cloth but always wipe the floor with a dry cloth afterwards.