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A well cared for wood floor adds both charm and value to your home. The best care is based on knowledge, so let's start with a quick look at different kinds of wood floors. They are:

* Solid wood flooring - planks of solid wood.
* Engineered wood flooring - planks' made up of thin layers of wood.

Laminate flooring can look like wood, but is actually a picture of wood over a fiberboard core seen through a durable wear layer. We'll focus here on caring for hardwood floors.

The best care begins with keeping your wood floor clean. Protect your floors by:

* Not tracking in dirt - use mats at entrances, remove shoes at the door;
* Using area rugs, kept clean and dry, in high traffic areas;
* Cleaning up spills and stains immediately .

It also helps to:

* Put felt pads under furniture;
* Lift furniture when moving it;
* Use barrel-type, non-marking casters on rolling furniture; and
* Filter direct sunlight.

Simple tools clean your floors without damaging them:

* A broom sweeper with soft, frayed bristles;
* A vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment; or
* A dry dust mop

Other cleaning methods depend on your floor's finish and condition. On newer floors use cleaners recommended by the floor's manufacturer to maintain your warranty. Otherwise check the condition and know what kind of finish is on your floor before doing more.

* Solid wood floors have either a glossy surface finish (e.g. varnish, polyurethane, acrylic) or a matte or satiny penetrating finish (wood oil, wax).

* Engineered wood floors have a glossy surface finish, usually urethane.

* A scratched, dull or pitted floor has a worn or damaged finish.

You can check the type of finish. Paint remover bubbles most surface finishes, except for water-based urethane. Ammonia or wax stripper softens or whitens a penetrating finish. Very small amounts of these applied in an inconspicuous area should indicate which of these finishes you have. Read directions and cautions carefully before using.

If the finish is intact:

* You can damp mop an undamaged surface finish using mild liquid detergent in warm water, making sure to leave the floor dry.

* Clean a penetrating finish with a solvent based cleaner - one that uses a natural citrus solvent base is greener.

Do not damp mop a damaged or worn surface finish or any penetrating finish.

When the finish is damaged:

* Waxing can make your floor look better - but remember all wax must be completely removed before refinishing.

* A solid wood floor can be sanded and refinished.

* A solid wood floor with a urethane finish can be recoated without sanding.

Enjoy the beauty of your well-cared-for wood floor!

* An engineered wood floor can be recoated.

Learn more about this author, Margaret Mair.
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