View the pdf version of the Floor Care Instructions

The key to keeping your BLC Homestead wood flooring looking beautiful is to properly care for it after installation. Most importantly, keep gritty material such as dirt and sand off of your floor; fine particles can scratch a floor’s finish. Only use cleaners designed specifically for wood floors with a polyurethane surface finish. These products are to be lightly sprayed onto the floor and then mopped off with a slightly damp terrycloth or microfiber style mop. Make sure that any moisture you apply to the floor is mopped dry or will quickly evaporate. Never use a wet mop to clean your wood floor. Excessive moisture will seep between flooring strips or into any small scratches that have occurred in the finish during use. This excessive moisture will then cause the wood to swell and damage the finish.

To prevent premature wear during normal use, place rugs in high traffic areas and at all entrances to the home. Be sure to frequently clean the rugs to eliminate sources of abrasive materials. In kitchens, use rugs around stoves, sinks and tables to protect the floor from spills. Promptly wipe up spills and use a wood floor cleaner.

Be sure to use protective glides or rubber caps on furniture legs, especially on kitchen chairs that are frequently moved. This will help to minimize scratching of your wood floor. As with rugs, it is advisable to periodically clean the glides and floor protectors. Casters and wheels made of hard materials such as plastic or metal should be avoided as they may damage the floor surface. Protect your dogs and protect your floors. Use rugs where your dog frequently travels to prevent the dog from slipping and to protect the floor from becoming scratched by the dogs’ claws. Be sure to keep your dogs claws trimmed close, but realize that even close trimming still leaves claws that will scratch a wood floor.

Keep your shoes clean and in good repair to prevent scratching or denting your wood floor. Rocks trapped in heavy soles or the nails used to attach the soles of many types of shoes can scratch your floor.

Certain woods and finishes may darken or change color slightly with long-term exposure to sunlight or bright interior lights. Using curtains or drapes to limit sunlight and periodically moving furniture and rugs will help prevent differences in appearance from developing in your floor.

A good cleaning schedule, following the recommendations provided here, will help to maintain your BLC Homestead wood floor for life.