Oh Yes You Can! Keep Your Wood Floors Great With The Kids Home On Summer Vacation!

The summer months can sneak up on you as some of the worst months on the year on your home. With the kids off of schools and extra use of just about everything in your house from furniture to floors, you need to have a few extra tips in your cleaning arsenal to stay on top of it all. Floors especially take a beating for the summer months, especially wood floors.

Here are some tips for caring for those special woods floors to keep yours in top condition and minimize the need for repair and refinishing later.

First, keep grit off the floor. Dirt, pebbles, cinders and sand act like sandpaper to scratch and dull hardwood floors. Place floor mats at all exterior doors to trap incoming debris. Throw rugs just inside entrances also serve as reinforcement.

Second, sweep, vacuum, or dust-mop at least weekly.

• Sweeping
If sweeping, use brooms with fine, exploded ends to trap dust and grit. When vacuuming, use a brush attachment. Don't use a vacuum with beater bars because they can cause dents in your floor's finish. Canister vacuums with special bare floor attachments work most effectively.

• Dust Mopping
Use a dust mop with a 12 to 18-inch cotton head. Check with the flooring manufacturer if a mop treatment is to be used. For quick touch-ups, try the new, lightweight, easy-to-assemble sweepers with disposable sheets that attract and trap dirt and dust.

• Spills
Wipe up spills immediately and then wipe dry. Water and other standing liquids can damage a floor's finish and warp the planks.

• Extra Protection
Protect it bypalcing fabric glides on your furniture to prevent scratching and scuffing when the furniture is moved. Avoid ultraviolet light damage to finishes by installing window tinting, blinds or drapes on large windows.

Third, When it comes to removing tough stains or restoring the finish of your particular floor, it's best to consult your local flooring dealer.