The following information brought to you by DURA SEAL Hardwood Floor Maintenance

Do's

Keep grit off the floor. Vacuum or dust mop as often as needed, at least weekly. Dirt and grit can cause damaging scratches to your floor finish.

Clean your hardwood floors regularly with DURA SEAL or MINWAX Hardwood floor cleaner. Specially formulated to clean hardwood floors with polyurethane and water based finishes, these products generally remove dirt and grime without leaving a soap film residue which can interfere with future refinishing of your floor. Simple and easy to use; no rinsing or diluting needed. Ask your flooring contractor about where to purchase.

Use protective mats and area rugs. The use of mats at all exterior doors helps to prevent dirt and grit from entering your home. In the kitchen, use area rugs or runners in high traffic areas. Clean mats and rugs weekly.

Immediately wipe up spills and tracked-on dirt with a cloth dampened with DURA SEAL Hardwood Floor Cleaner. Make sure the cloth is only lightly dampened.

Install felt or fabric-covered floor glides on all furniture at floor contact points. Replace narrow furniture glides with wider rubber substitutes. Movement of chairs and tables can cause excessive wear on your floor finish. Felt protectors help to minimize the wear.

Avoid walking on floors with high heels or with any sharp object protruding from shoes.

Don'ts

Ever pour water or allow water to puddle on your hardwood floor. Overuse of soaps and detergents in water can damage your floor and possibly the finish, which can make refinishing problematic.

Use "self polishing" waxes or vinyl floor products on your wood floor. After application, the water evaporates and leaves a glossy coat of finish which will discolor over time, requires repeat applications, and is not compatible when future recoating of your floor is required.

Wax "surface finished" wood, such as wood with a polyurethane-type coating. Wax can interfere with future recoating of the floor and often results in a slippery surface.

Use any product on your hardwood floor until you have read the label. If it is not designed for hardwood floors, don't use it.