Hardwood Floors are more than esthetics and fashionуthey are environmentally friendly natural products. Due to impressive improvements in flooring technologies your hardwood floor is as beautiful as durable and easy to care. Just follow few simple rules...

Protect Your Floor

	Regularly sweep or vacuum the floor to prevent sand and grit from accumulating and scratching the finish.
	Place doormats outside and throw rugs inside at every entrance of the house to prevent sand or abrasive dust from accumulating on the floorуsand and water are woodнs worst enemies.
	Place a rug in front of the kitchen sink and the dishwasher to protect the floor from dropped kitchen accessories and from water or oily detergent spills.
	Use floor protectors (felt pads) under all furniture and chair legs in order to ease their movements and to prevent scratching the floor.
	Use adequate commercial protectors under all narrow casters or replace them with wider rubber casters.
	Keep "high heel" shoes in good condition. Damaged or worn high heels may expose a metal tip which will certainly damage your hardwood floor. Some types of sport shoes may also damage the surface of your floor.
	Protect your floor from all sources of water. Wood expands when it absorbs water and contracts when drying. All spills must be quickly wiped dry in order to prevent stains and damage to the finish or to the wood.
	Keep your petsн nails well groomed in order to prevent them from scratching the surface of the floor.
	Protect your floor against direct sunlight or any intense artificial lightingуover the time they will discolor exposed surfaces. This process is natural and normal for all wood products. The lighter the color of the natural wood, the more apparent discoloration will be. To minimize the contrast created by light we suggest moving rugs and furniture about from time to time.
	The relative humidity level in your home must be maintained at 40 %с50% throughout the year. Hardwood absorbs or releases humidity according to seasons. In summer, when humidity is at its highest, it is absorbed by the wood which then expands. This expansion causes the strips of wood to push against one another. The floor is іcuppingнІ. Proper ventilation and use of dehumidifiers in late spring, summer and early fall is highly recommended. In winter, on the other hand, when the heating system is on, the relative humidity level in the house is much lower. The wood releases its humidity and shrinks or contracts as a result. Small gaps start appearing between the wood strips. Use of humidifiers can minimize shrinkage effect.

Cleaning and Practical Advice
Regular dust mopping, sweeping and vacuuming are essential part of regular floor care. Spray lightly some good quality hardwood floor cleaner ( for example іWoodpecker іor іVintageІ Hardwood Floor Cleaner )directly on the section of the floor or on terry cloth mop and work floor surface lengthwise with back-and-forth motion. Replace cloth or mop as soon as it becomes dirty or too damp.

	Never clean hardwood floor with water. Do not use any wax that has been pre-mixed with water or one that must be pre-mixed with water. Water can not only dull your finish but can permanently damage your floor.
	Never use wax, oil-based detergent or any household cleaners. These may dull or damage the finish, leaving floor slippery with greasy film and moreover, make refinish impossible.
	Stubborn spots, heel marks or sticky stains ( food, soft drinks , alcohol, grease, oil, lipstick, coloring pencils, etc.) can be removed by scrubbing the area with a sponge or damp cloth sprayed with cleaner.
	For really stubborn stains ( e.g. ink stains), apply some mineral spirits on a cloth and wipe clean.