No matter what type of finish is on top of your hardwood flooring, we recommend following these simple rules to assure that your floor looks great for years to come.

* Always wipe feet at least once before entering hardwood flooring area.
* Take off shoes at the door whenever possible.
* Wipe up spills immediately with a damp cloth, then wipe with a dry cloth.
* Always move heavy furniture/objects over hardwood flooring with assistance from at least one person.
* Make sure ALL furniture has protective furniture pads on ALL feet before moving.
* High heels are not recommended on hardwood floors.
* Sweep and vacuum regularly. Brooms with non abrasive bristles recommended.
* Dry/Damp Mop regularly according to finish manufacturers specifications. (May not apply to waxed floors)

First things first, determine what kind of floor finish do you have?

Here are some simple steps to help you determine if the finish is an oil/wax finish, shellac/varnish/lacquer finish, or a surface/urethane finish.

Lacquered, varnished, and shellacked floors - Although technically surface finishes, lacquers, varnishes and shellacs are not as resistant to moisture, spills and wear as the other sealants mentioned. If the floor was installed, or last serviced, before the mid '60s, you should assume the finish used was varnish or shellac. To determine this, scratch the surface with a coin or other sharp object in a corner or other inconspicuous space. If the finish flakes, it is probably shellac or varnish. Shellac and varnish are rarely used anymore and require full sanding to remove before application of a surface finish or oil/wax finish.

Penetrating-seal-treated, oil-treated, and waxed floors - Rub the floor with your finger. If you create a smudge, the floor has been treated with a penetrating seal, oil finish, or is waxed. Also common, a penetrating seal or oil finish soaks into the wood grain and hardens. This type of floor must be pampered and protected with liquid or paste wax. Another good way to check the floor for wax finish. In an inconspicuous area, corner or behind a door, apply one or two drops of water. If, within ten minutes, white spots appear under the drops of water, the floor has a wax finish. To remove the white spots, gently rub the spots with #000 steel wool dampened with wax.

Surface/Urethane Finish - Just rub your finger across the floor. If no smudge appears, the floor is surface/urethane sealed. If the finish does not flake from scratching with a coin and white spots do not appear from the drops of water, the floor has a surface finish and should be maintained accordingly. Most new wood floors are sealed with urethane, polyurethane or polyacrylic. Surface-sealed floors are stain and water-damage resistant and easiest to care for and clean: Sweep, mop and you're done!