With summer comes fun, but there are also a few things that can damage your wood floors. So we’ve put together a list of some summer maintenance tips for hardwood floors.

Keep the following things in mind, and take preventative measures to protect your floors before it’s too late:

• Sand will damage the finish. Sand can harm the finish when dragged across the floor. To keep this problem from wreaking havoc on your home, have your guests keep their sandals outside (especially when they’re coming from the beach!) or in a bin by the door. Keep children’s sandy toys outside as well.
  
  You should also vacuum regularly to keep the particles from damaging your floors, and when you mop your floors, use a cleaner specially formulated for use with hardwood floors, such as Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner, to prevent further damage to your finish.

• You floors might move. Wood is hygroscopic, meaning that it absorbs and releases moisture according to changes in the environment. If you have plainsawn floors, you might notice that the planks swell a bit during the summer. A small amount of growth is to be expected in the summer months as the wood planks absorb moisture from the air. However, you should consult a hardwood flooring professional if you notice significant cupping.

• UV rays can change the appearance of your floors. As the sunlight becomes more intense over the summer months, exposure to UV rays becomes more of a threat to your floors. Sunlight can cause stains to fade and can discolor the wood. Certain species are especially susceptible to this — American cherry, for example, darkens over time with exposure to sunlight. To cut down on this effect, you can keep your curtains closed during the day, especially during the height of summer.

Before summer is in full swing, take the time to protect your floors from these threats. That way, you can better enjoy your time without worrying about your floors! Check out more tips for protecting your hardwood floors during the summer.