When moving appliances or heavy furniture, lay a plywood panel on your floor and “walk” the item across it. This protects your floor from scuffing and tears.

Use floor protectors on furniture to reduce indentation. As a general rule of thumb, the heavier the item, the wider the floor protector needed.

Place a walk-off mat at outside entrances to reduce the amount of dirt brought into your home. Do not use rubber- or latex-backed mats because the chemical (antioxidant) used to keep the backing from becoming brittle can permanently stain your floor. We suggest a non-staining vinyl-backed mat or a woven rug that is colorfast. Most of these products are identified as colorfast by the manufacturer.

• Sweep or vacuum regularly — keeping dirt and grit off your tile is the most effective way of prolonging its life.
• Damp mop or sponge, rinse thoroughly and wipe dry
• Glazed tiles: use all-purpose, non oil-based cleaner
• Unglazed floor tiles: use a solution of water and soapless detergent instead of an all-purpose cleaner.
• Do not use alkaline-based cleansers on a floor that has been sealed.

Keeping your hardwood floors looking great is quite simple when you keep in mind some simple guidelines:

Frequently sweep and vacuum the floor to remove loose dirt before it can scratch or be ground into the floor’s surface.

Never clean or wet mop your hardwood floor with water. Do not use any wax or cleaner that must be mixed with water, such as oil soap, as this may ruin your floor and result in a loss of warranty. Water can dull the finish and permanently damage the floor.

Spread manufacturer’s suggested hardwood cleanser directly on the floor and wipe with a sponge mop or appropriate cleaning applicator. Do not allow puddles of cleaner to remain on the floor’s surface. Excess liquid may damage the fiber of the wood.

Place walk-off mats designed for hardwood floors at each entryway to minimize spreading dirt and grit throughout the house; remember to shake them out regularly. Tiny particles of dirt and stone are like sandpaper and will scratch your hardwood floors. Avoid using rubber-backed or non-ventilated mats or rugs as they can damage your floor by trapping moisture. Rugs and mats should be moved occasionally as they block sunlight, which may give the appearance of discoloring under the rug.

For spot cleaning, apply cleaner to a clean cloth and rub onto the spot. Never apply wax agents to a urethane floor.

Following these simple maintenance guidelines and tips will keep your laminate floors looking great and lasting longer:

1. Frequent sweeping or vacuuming.
2. Complete cleaning can be done by damp mopping using the manufacturer’s recommended products. Never flood the floor with water or cleaner. Laminate flooring can expand if excessive water is used while cleaning. After mopping, use a clean dry cloth to wipe the floor of any excess water.
3. For spills, use a damp cloth or sponge and a mild soap or detergent. Difficult stains such as coffee or tea can be removed using a mild household cleaner/detergent and a soft bristle brush, repeating as necessary. If a stain persists, use a paste of baking soda and water and apply with a soft bristled brush. Light scrubbing for 10 to 20 strokes should remove most stains. Although baking soda is a low abrasive, excessive scrubbing or exerting too much force could damage the decorative surface, especially if it has a gloss finish.