We all want to keep our new floors looking as fresh and beautiful as the day they were installed. However, a home is meant to be lived in, and floors often receive regular wear and tear. The good news is that these tips and tricks can help you properly maintain your flooring, keeping it looking and feeling fabulous for as long as possible.

How to Maintain Your New Flooring

Floor care depends a great deal on what type of flooring was installed. However, nearly all flooring types have common basic care needs.

Vacuum and Sweep Regularly

It's important to sweep and vacuum your floors regularly to help clear away dust, debris, and other particles. Things like sand or road salt could damage your floor, making it necessary to remove them by sweeping or vacuuming at least once a week. If you have a natural hardwood floor, don't use your vacuum's beater bar or harsh brush, which could dull the surface. Other flooring types, like laminate and vinyl, tend to be less susceptible to these types of scratches but usually only require a vacuum's suction.

Even though you may not feel debris underfoot on carpeting as easily as on other flooring types, it's vital to vacuum at least once a week to prevent dirt and grime from working their way into your floors.

Deep Clean Occasionally

Mopping your floor is also important, but be wary of using too much water as most flooring types don't handle liquids well. Generally, a damp cloth or microfiber mop is enough to tackle grime. You don't want to saturate the floor, especially if it is laminate or hardwood, as water can seep into the joints and cause damage.

Certain floors, such as laminate, require specific cleaners, which are often recommended over water and soap. This is because products that are okay for one type of flooring may harm another. For example, it’s best to avoid steam mops, waxes, polishes, and oil-based cleaners with laminate floors, as they can streak and stain.

While carpeting doesn't need to be mopped, steam cleaning is advised to remove debris and particles deeply embedded into the fibers.

Clean Up Spills Immediately

If liquid accidentally comes in contact with your flooring, you’ll want to wipe it up as soon as possible. Spills should be absorbed with a clean cloth as soon as possible before they can penetrate the flooring material. Placing absorbent mats near areas that may frequently become wet, like entryways, is also helpful.

Carpeting, in particular, may become stained from spills. After you blot up the liquid, applying a spot treatment can help remove discoloration and odor.

Protect Wherever Possible

To keep your floor's surface lustrous, take steps to reduce scratches, gouges, and dents. Large furniture, chairs, and heavy objects should be outfitted with protective pads made from rubber or felt. If you need to move an item, don't drag it across the floor. For added protection on tile floors, consider placing a rug or carpeting between the piece of furniture and the flooring.

Frequent and prolonged exposure to UV rays from the sun can also dull certain flooring types, such as hardwoods. Protective window treatments and standard curtains or blinds can help minimize sun exposure and keep your floor looking bright and new.

Spot Treat or Refinish When Needed

Some types of floors are more forgiving than others. Hardwood floors can often be refinished if they fade or show wear and tear. Removing the existing varnish, seal, and stain and then applying a new stain and varnish can revive the hardwood's appearance.

Other flooring options may be spot-treated. Touch-up kits and specialized treatments can sometimes repair scratches or stains in wood, carpet, laminate, or vinyl. If your tile floor has a minimal crack, there are ways to repair it without replacing it. It's also important not to overlook grout maintenance. Regularly cleaning your grout lines and resealing when necessary is important to maintaining the look and integrity of your tile floors.

Regular maintenance goes a long way in extending the lifespan of your floors, ensuring they stay in top condition for your family.