Maintaining Wood's Natural Beauty

Regular cleaning and preventative measures can keep fine wood flooring and furniture looking good for generations. The experts at Murphy* Oil Soap have more tips to help keep wood looking its best:

• Sweep or vacuum regularly to prevent dirt and grime built-up from damaging the wood's surface. Use a felt or brush-type vacuum so as not to damage your wood floors' finish.
• Remove spills promptly using a soft cloth and specialty wood-care cleaning products such as Murphy* Oil Soap.
• Use coasters to protect wood-topped tables from water rings. For a more permanent water-ring solution, ask your hardware store to cut a glass or Plexiglas pane to fit your wooden table top.
• Install curtains or blinds to block direct sunlight and prevent UV exposure from fading wood's natural color. Exposure to sunlight can speed the aging of wood.
• Use a humidifier in dry winter months and a dehumidifier in humid weather, along with heating or air conditioning. Remember, wood is dynamic and will expand and contract with extreme fluctuations of humidity and temperature. Avoid extremes of hot, cold and wet to prevent cracking of solid-wood furniture and solid wood floors.
• Place breathable, dirt-catching mats at room entrances, high traffic areas, stair landings and in front of sinks.
• Tread lightly! Any shoes, especially high-heels (with wood or rubber ends missing) can damage wood floors. Avoid walking on them with athletic cleats, tap shoes or spike high heels.
• Keep your pet's claws trimmed. Big dogs especially can have big nails and do real damage to fine wood floors.
• Use felt pads under furniture legs, to avoid dents. This is especially important for softwood floors, such as pine. To prevent denting, coasters for furniture should be at least 1" wide. Make sure coasters spin cleanly by removing clogging 'dust bunny' debris.
• Lift furniture, never drag it. Always use a dolly and protective sheets of plywood when moving heavy objects, or appliances.