Your new hardwood floor looks great doesn’t it? Let’s keep it that way.

New hardwood floors will start off shiny and clean, but without proper care and attention can quickly dull and become streaked. It doesn’t matter whether you’ve inherited an old hardwood floor or installed a new one, learn how to protect and maintain it to keep the floor looking shiny, clean and refreshed.

You should be careful which cleaning products you use on your hardwood floor. The best commercial cleaning products are those manufactured by the hardwood flooring companies themselves. These are better than other cleaning products because they are specially formulated to polish the polyurethane seal found on the majority of hardwood floors.

Watch out for cleaning methods that claim to be easy and cheap alternatives to commercial cleaning products. Never use vinegar water, lemon juice, or other home remedies to clean or shine your hardwood floor as these can damage the polyurethane finish. A good cleaning product has a balanced pH formula and won’t cause the polyurethane finish to crack or dull.

When cleaning, first sweep the floor with a soft-bristled (or “exploded” bristle) broom to remove any accumulated dirt or girt. You can also use a floor duster but don’t use wood-cleaning products designed for furniture as these can make the floor dangerously slippery. Clean the floor on a weekly basis and use a specifically designed cleaner for polyurethane finished floors.

For a great polish, use a specially formulated hardwood floor polish. Use a clean damp cloth to apply, and a dry cloth to polish.

Don’t worry if you need to restore a damaged or aged hardwood floor, as a professional can help. They will strip the polyurethane layers, re-sand the surface and then re-stain. Once this is done, a new layer of polyurethane will be applied to the wood. Then you’ll have a new-looking hardwood floor in your home. The task now is to go back to the beginning of this article and remind yourself how to keep it looking that way.