Care & maintenance after flooring installation
Hardwood floors:
Do:
Don't:
How to clean laminate floors:
How to protect laminate floors:
Do:
- Wipe up spills immediately.
- Use recommended hardwood floor cleaners.
- Vacuum, sweep or dust mop your hardwood floor once a week, or more, if needed. The vacuum head must be brush or felt.
- Use interior and exterior doormats at entrances to collect dirt and moisture and prevent them from being tracked onto the floor.
- Area rugs are recommended in front of kitchen sinks, at all pivot points and within high traffic areas. The rugs must be made of a breathable material to prevent moisture entrapment.
- Place runners and area rugs (with slip-resistant backings) along high traffic areas.
- Keep animal nails trimmed to prevent finish scratches.
- To prevent surface damage, avoid rolling heavy appliances and furniture on the floor. Use plywood hardboard or appliance lifts, if necessary.
- Use furniture leg protector pads under all furniture legs.
- Replace hard, narrow furniture rollers with wide rubber rollers.
- Keep the relative humidity in your home between 35% and 55%.
- Protect your floor from direct sunlight.
Don't:
- Use any of the following products (or products similar in nature) to clean your hardwood floor: ammonia-based cleaners, acrylic finishes, wax-based products, detergents, bleach, polishes and oil soaps, abrasive cleaning soaps or acidic materials such as vinegar.
- Allow water to stand on your floor for any length of time – wipe up immediately.
- Walk across your floor in poorly maintained shoes with heel taps, spike heels or with any sharp object protruding from your shoe.
- Allow furniture to rest on the floor on small metal tips or hard domes.
- Use rubber, foam back or plastic mats as they may trap moisture and possibly discolor your floor.
- Do not use vacuums with beater bars or hard heads while cleaning wood floors.
How to clean laminate floors:
- Use recommended Armstrong laminate floor cleaners.
- Vacuum, use a dust mop or wipe with a damp cloth.
- For spills, just wipe up with a cloth or sponge.
- Allow time for floor to dry after washing.
- Immediately wipe up wet areas from spills, foreign substances, or wet feet.
How to protect laminate floors:
- Place a natural or colorfast mat at outside entrances to collect tracked-in dirt and absorb excess moisture.
- For added indentation resistance, use Armstrong or Bruce felt floor protectors on chairs and other furniture. As a general rule of thumb, the heavier the item, the wider the floor protector should be.