Do not let anybody wear their shoes in the house especially visitors.
Make it a strict house rule!!

HANDY HINTS

Prepare for the day when your timber floors are sanded and polished:

Ensure all furniture is removed from rooms to be sanded. You will have to wait 3-7 days before moving heavy furniture such as fridges and washing machines back in upon completion.

All carpets, underlays, underlay nails, carpet edging and staples should be removed from floors.

Attach masking tape to the gaps on cupboard doors to prevent any dust entering. The same applies to wardrobes, linen cupboards and doorways to rooms not being sanded.

Alternatively, a sheet or a plastic dropsheet can be draped over cupboards, bookshelves and doorways.

If clothing is left hanging in robes, seal them with a sheet of plastic to ensure dust and polyurethane odours do not affect them. The same applies to unsealed food in pantries.

Be prepared to sleep out for a couple of nights due to the smell of the polyurethane.

DO'S AND DONT'S

To help keep your hardwood floor looking like new:

Enemy Number 1, Water:

Regardless of its finish your floor will quickly lose its luster if exposed to water.

DO:

Wipe up any spills immediately with a soft, dry cloth, starting at the edges of the spill and working your way toward the center.

DON'T: Let water stand on your floor, or use wet cloths for clean up.

don't Use a sopping wet mop or rag. If you do have to use a mop or a wet rag on stubborn grime, use a bit of vinegar or metholated spirits in with the water & ensure the mop or rag is wrung or squeezed tightly.

Banish Dirt, Dust and Grit:

Dirt, dust and grit can also damage your hardwood floor. Tracking dirt, dust, and grit can dull its finish and cause

scratches that can only be repaired by recoating the floor.

 Dust mops can be helpful in keeping dirt, dust, and grit under control.

Vacuum frequently, using a soft bristle vacuum head.

DO:

DO:

Use doormats at the entrances of your home to help trap dirt and grit. Clean them regularly.

Use area rugs or small sections of carpet placed inside doorways and in areas like kitchens where spills are likely to occur.

DO:

DON'T Use throw rugs with rubber or vinyl backing without checking to determine if they will affect your floor's finish.

Some materials in the backing can react with certain floor finishes, discoloring or causing the finish to become dull.

DO:

Move your area carpets or throw rugs occasionally to maintain a uniform appearance in the floor's finish.

The ultraviolet radiation in sunlight can cause discoloration over time.

DO:

Protect your floors by using sheer drapes, curtains, or blinds to limit sunlight.

Furniture:

Place glides made of felt or some other fabric under the legs of furniture to prevent scratches. Clean the glides regularly.

DO:

DO:

Use barrel-type casters instead of ball casters to prevent dents.

DO: Use non-marking rubber casters instead of plastic or metal.

DO:

Lift furniture when moving it to avoid scratches in the floor's surface.

Shoes:

Make sure there are no exposed nails or metal heel supports on shoes that could scratch or dent the floor.

DO:

DO:

Check shoes with soles that have deep treads to ensure that any trapped dirt or gravel won't scratch or dent the floor.

DO:

Be aware that high heels can dent a hardwood floor.

DUST:

Sunlight: