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Maintaining hardwood floors

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Once you have made an investment in hardwood floors, you want to protect them with proper cleaning and maintenance. Consider these tips for caring for your hardwood floors:

Avoid having large amounts of water coming in contact with your wood floors. It could leave a residue and damage the wood.
Wipe up spills immediately with a slightly damp towel and wipe it dry.
Vacuum your floors often to remove surface dirt.
Use cleaning products that are designed for your type and finish of wood floor.
Use throw rugs in high traffic areas to protect floors from dirt and water. Also use doormats at all outside entrances and a rug inside each entry to keep tracked-in dirt to a minimum.
Use felt or fabric pads on the bottom of furniture to prevent scratching. Clean the pads regularly.
Do not wear high heels on wood floors, and they can cause dents.
When moving furniture, lift it rather than dragging it across the floors.
Exposure to sunlight can cause wood floors to fade or change color. Using draperies or shades can help minimize fading.

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