How to Maintain Engineered Hardwood Floors

Homeowners always prefer hardwood floors. They offer natural beauty and, much like red and white oaks, are often a sustainable and renewable resource, making them an environmentally conscious choice. Engineered hardwood flooring can offer homeowners genuine hardwood with extra stability, due to their cross-layer construction, while solid hardwood offers the benefit of multiple refinishes over the years.

While there are many distinctions between engineered vs. solid hardwood, engineered hardwood floors come with several advantages. For starters, engineered hardwood can be installed on all levels of a home, even the basement where a concrete subfloor may be less than smooth. In fact, engineered hardwood is better suited for homes in climates with high humidity levels, like southern U.S. states or homes situated on beaches and lakes. 

It’s no surprise that engineered hardwood floors are quite desirable. However, once you choose to install them, how do you keep them looking good as new? Here are tips and tricks on how to maintain engineered hardwood floors. 

Essential Care and Maintenance Tips for Engineered Hardwood

Au Naturelle Flooring by Hearthwood, Nude

Clean up any spills immediately

Puddles of water or liquid can cause damage to engineered hardwood flooring, so it’s imperative to clean up any spills immediately. Use a dry mop to remove the puddle or spill, never a wet mop or steam mop, as this can damage a finish over time. 

Sweep daily

Homeowners track in all kinds of dirt, dust and abrasive particles in a single day. So, one of the easiest ways you can maintain engineered hardwood floors is to sweep them daily. Sweeping also keeps on top of cleaning and minimizes mopping.

Use a vacuum cleaner for a thorough cleaning

Be sure to vacuum your engineered hardwood flooring using a soft attachment. Beater bars can cause scratches, but if there’s no way around it, make sure to set your vacuum to a gentle, bare floor setting. 

Be mindful of the types of shoes you wear

It’s essential to be mindful of the shoes you wear as you walk across engineered hardwood floors. High heeled shoes and any sports shoes with spikes can cause significant damage to the top layer of engineered hardwood.

Reference specific product care and maintenance docs

Be sure to reference the product care and maintenance docs for your engineered flooring brand and style, especially when using a cleaning solution. A flooring professional will offer you the best advice for a more thorough cleaning. If a cleaning solution is needed, use a hardwood-specific, non-oil based cleaner and never spray directly on the flooring itself.  Be sure to read our article on the most common questions about hardwood flooring.

Extra Preventative Tips

Chalmers Flooring by Palmetto Road, Coal

Besides the essential care and maintenance, there are a few extra preventative tips to keep your engineered hardwood flooring looking good as new. 

Choose a Proper Flooring Finish

The type of flooring finish you choose plays a huge role in the lifespan of engineered flooring. And there are many superior finishes out there from which to choose. 

For example, Hearthwood hardwood is protected by a WetWorx™ Splatter and Spill Guard, which offers water-resistant technology to protect the top, bottom and all four sides. WetWorx™ also protects from scuffs and scratches with an aluminum oxide finish.  

If your engineered hardwood starts to appear dull, it can easily be refreshed with a recoating. The National Wood Floors Association recommends adding a new coat of finish every three to five years and to completely sand and refinish every few decades, depending on the wear and tear.

Be Mindful of Humidity

It’s essential to know how humidity affects your wood floors. Since wood is a natural product, engineered wood flooring needs to acclimate and be installed within a stable environment. Palmetto Road recommends a humidity level of 45 percent RH (relative humidity) to properly maintain hardwood floors and even your health. (Tip: Your home’s RH can be easily monitored with a hygrometer.)

Take Measures to Prevent Scratches

There are many ways to prevent heavy furniture from scratching hardwood floors. Here is a quick rundown of ways to avoid scratching your engineered hardwood flooring.

• Use mats at main entrances to brush dirt and debris off shoes and near water-prone workstations like sinks, the dishwasher and the laundry room. 

• Apply felt pads to furniture feet or legs and choose soft polyurethane rubber casters on rolling furniture (like office chairs).

• Avoid heeled stilettos, sports shoes and other pointed objects. 

Find the Right Hardwood Floors for Your Home

Are you looking for the perfect hardwood flooring? Explore Twenty & Oak’s engineered hardwood and find the perfect floor for your home, space and lifestyle. Also, be sure to check out our virtual flooring showroom!