Keeping your blinds open may make your home look bright and cheery, but doing so can also cause serious damage to your flooring if you're not careful. Harsh UV rays can cause premature fading and discoloration, especially on hardwood. That doesn't mean you have to live in the dark, just make sure you close your blinds when you head out for the day.
Wood Floor Mistakes You Didn't Know You Were Making
Hardwood floors can really make a home look classic, and even the better laminates are nearly indistinguishable from the real thing. But they need care, and a lot of homeowners damage their wood floors without even knowing it. Here are some of the most common mistakes people make.
Keeping Your Blinds Open All Day
Sweeping Instead of Vacuuming
What's wrong with breaking out the broom to clean up dirt on your hardwood floors? It can actually shorten their lifespan. If you're going to mop or sweep, vacuum first to prevent moving tiny particles and abrasives like sand along the floor's surface, which can scratch or damage it.
Using Too Much Water to Clean Your Floors
Water may be effective at getting your floors clean, but use too much and you might find yourself in need of some replacement flooring before you know it. Excessive water on hardwood or laminate can cause warping or staining. Use the minimum amount of water possible.
Forgetting Furniture Pads on Hardwood Floors
Those little pads that cover the bottom of table and chair legs are a must if you have hardwood floors. Without them, every time you scoot back in a chair or move a piece of furniture an inch to the left, you're potentially scratching your floors in a way only refinishing can cover up.
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