Most floors don't get enough broom time. Sweeping floors regularly is essential for removing dust, dirt and crumbs. All of these particles can actually be abrasive against a floor and cause scratches as time goes by. Be sure to sweep wood floors several times per week to keep scratches at bay. It is often necessary to sweep hardwood floors that are located in kitchens daily to ensure that crumbs don't cause damage. 

People may think that they're doing the right thing by vacuuming their floors regularly. However, those efforts could be counterproductive if someone is using the wrong attachments on their vacuum. It turns out that the wrong brushes can actually do more harm than good. That's because some brushes are actually extremely abrasive. Take time to identify whether or not there is a special hardwood brush in a vacuum’s attachment kit.

Mopping is a tricky thing when it comes to hardwood floors. Water and hardwood floors simply don't mix. However, some people do prefer to mop once in a while for the sake of getting rid of marks and odors. It is important to wipe a floor dry immediately after a mopping session. No amount of moisture should be left behind. 

The wrong cleaner can destroy a floor and strip it of its brilliance. Not all of the cleaners available on the shelves are appropriate or safe for hardwood floors. This also applies to waxes and polishes. Take time to do some research regarding which cleaners are intended for specific types of wood flooring. Simply using any cleaner found at the store could result in some very costly damage to wood floors. 

Spills can ruin hardwood floors if they aren't addressed immediately. Spills should never be allowed to sit. Leaving a spill alone long enough to form a stain can cause permanent damage to a floor. In addition to everyday spills, it's important to be vigilant about spills that aren’t noticeable. This includes moisture issues that can be caused by things like planters that have been recently watered, leaky windows and house pets.

Everyday objects can severely scratch hardwood floors. Furniture is often the worst offender. Make sure that chairs, tables, couches and other pieces of furniture are fitted with coasters that will prevent contact with the floor. Many people also create scratches on their floors by wearing shoes while in the house. In addition, a dog's claws can actually create tons of little marks on a wood floor. It's important to keep a dog's nails trimmed when a home has hardwood floors.

Our feet drag in dirt and dust from all of the places we visit. Those particles can be carried to wood floors easily. That's why keeping little rugs and dust mats in key points throughout a home is so important. These mats serve as stopping points for dust and dirt.