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.