Hot Topics     Home and Family    

5 tips for keeping hardwoods handsome



Maintain its condition for decades to come

5 tips for keeping hardwoods handsome


With its rich tones and distinguished style, hardwood flooring can be a beautiful design element of your home. However, it’s important to know the proper care procedures to maintain its condition for decades to come.

Consider these tips for keeping hardwoods in tip-top shape:

  • Guard Against Water – Water can penetrate deep into the wood, causing stains and ruining the outside finish. Use plastic trays under potted plants and pets’ bowls. Wipe up spills and accidents immediately.

  • Use Area Rugs – If you have any heavy traffic areas – by the front door, hallways or around the kitchen table or couch, for example – use area rugs to protect against wear and tear. Area rugs are also an easy way to boost the style factor of your home.
READ MORE: Strong, stylish spring home upgrades
  • Take Off Your Shoes – Encourage family members and guests to take off their shoes when they walk in. Shoes can bring in sand and dirt, so position area rugs at door entryways to act as barriers.

  • Sweep or Vacuum Regularly –Dust and dirt can act as sandpaper, wreaking havoc on your floor’s finish. A weekly sweep can help keep this at bay while enhancing your flooring’s general appearance. If using your vacuum, be sure to use an attachment with soft brushes to guard from additional wear.

  • Clean Naturally – For a deep clean, ditch the harsh chemicals. Simply pour 1 cup of vinegar into a bucket with 1 gallon of water, mixing well. Use a soft mop and move in the direction of the floorboards. Go over with a clean, soft towel to dry excess water.

By following these simple steps, you and your family will be able to cherish your hardwood floors for many years to come. Learn more at eLivingtoday.com.

(Family Features)
Photo courtesy of Unsplash



Other articles by HVP News Reporters


  • Resume tips for job seekers with disabilities

    Some of the most important things to keep in mind

    For the most part, writing a resume as a disabled worker involves the same best practices as writing any type of resume. Some of the most important things to keep in mind include: read more »
  • Five key tips to follow when turning the car keys over to your teen

    The clearer parents are in establishing driving rule, the safer teen drivers will be

    The key to letting teenagers drive solo is ensuring they know all that they’re getting into… as well as your fears. Boys Town of Nebraska lists 5 key tips to keep in mind when turning over the keys to your teen. read more »
  • Teaching your kids life skills

    Five suggestions for parents to try

    A balanced life requires practical skills, not just the academic learning kids get in school. Mothering.com suggests teaching children these five important life skills. They can be introduced slowly and adapted to any age level. read more »
  • Essential life skills every eight-year-old should have

    It's not to late to teach these, if you haven’t yet

    While it is amazing what kids can do on social media and with complex video games, it’s also sadly amazing what they often cannot do. Now’s the perfect time to remedy that. read more »
  • Fun & easy Easter crafts for kids

    Make your kids hoppy with these simple crafts

    Kids love to decorate for the holidays. Bring them on board with these Easter crafts to brighten up this special day. read more »
  • Get your kids interested in birding

    Great spots you can watch birds in the Hudson Valley

    NYS has hundreds of species of birds. The Hudson Valley has lots of places where you and your family can observe them. See this list of places to go and what you may see. read more »
  • Calling all birdwatchers

    Check out Birdability which promotes birding for everyone

    Through education, outreach and advocacy, Birdability works to ensure the birding community and the outdoors are welcoming, inclusive, safe and accessible for everybody. We focus on people with mobility challenges, blindness or low vision, chronic illness, intellectual or developmental disabilities, mental illness, and those who are neurodivergent, deaf or hard of hearing or who have other health concerns. In addition to current birders, we strive to introduce birding to people with disabilities and other health concerns who are not yet birders so they too can experience the joys of birding. read more »
  • Lucky mint brownie perfection

    A twisted combination of mint and sweet chocolate

    How lucky you must be to come across this recipe just in time for St. Patrick’s Day. This one is a twisted combination of mint and sweet chocolate that’s sure to have almost anyone’s taste buds screaming “yum.” This dessert might just be the pot of gold at the end of your rainbow this year. read more »
  • Entertaining on Easter

    5 tips to make holiday hosting simple

    Easter signals springtime and provides an opportunity to gather with loved ones to celebrate. However, hosting the get-together – whether brunch, lunch or dinner – requires planning and preparation to ensure the event is enjoyable. read more »
  • The connection between your heart and kidneys

    There are many links between these two organs

    While people may think about heart disease and kidney disease as two different health problems, there are many links between them. read more »