Preventative maintenance

All shoes, particularly high heels, must be kept in good repair as exposed metal can cause damage to all types of wooden flooring.

Pet nails need to be trimmed regularly to prevent wood and surface treatment damage.

A wood floor will look impressive for any party or social event but should be cleaned immediately before and afterwards to ensure that any surface dirt and grit is not going to be trodden into the floor by the many guests.

You should also clean internal and external door mats and consider putting in extra temporary mats just for the event - although there is no need for a red carpet!

There are many measures that can help prevent accidental damage and wear and tear to your wooden floor, including:
· Use floor protector pads on furniture legs - particularly furniture that has gliders, wheels, sharp metal or wooden legs which can dent and scratch hardwood flooring.
· Place entrance mats at external doors - but only once surface oils or lacquers have fully cured - and use mats inside and outside doors.
· Consider having mats at high traffic points such as in front of a kitchen sink.
· Regularly shake out and wash rugs to remove trapped dirt and grit, and lift up wet rugs immediately.
· Be aware that rugs at entrances, and decorative rugs placed in the centre of a room as a feature or in front of a fireplace, can cause colour differences in the floor where UV light is prevented from reaching the surface.
· Do not allow metal objects to come into contact with oiled wood floors - they can cause a reaction and subsequent stain.
· Do not use hard floor surface cleaners designed for vinyl or tiled floors (for example).