Floors are important part of your home decor. In California solid hardwood floors need more care than other sort of floors though they seem rich and beautiful. Here are some tips to clean the hardwood floor without damaging it.

1- Vacuum the floor:
Vacuum your hardwood floor every week as dust particles are always there and feel just like sand paper. This dust wears your floor gradually but surely and damages the finishing of the floor. So vacuum the floor to maintain its appearance.
2- Usage of brushes and beater bar:
Never to use a beater bar or a brush to vacuum the floor. Attachments with a beater bar or rotating brushes can cause damage to the floor. If you feel that a vacuum is not giving satisfactory results then you may use a dust mop instead. A newer microfiber sweeper like Swiffer can also work well on hardwood floor.
3- Get a hair spray:
In order to avoid the hair of your pet do use a hair spray, this can also cloud the finish of the floor. For a thorough cleaning you may also use a non-ammonia window cleaner. After applying the spray immediately wipe the floor with a damp cloth.
4- Be careful about water:
Water not only ruins the finish of the hardwood floor but also stain it while penetrating in the surface. In California be careful about rain; close windows and doors when the rain is being expected. Put dishes under the indoor plants and immediately clean the water whenever you see on the floor.
5- Use no-wax wood floor cleaner to remove residue:
Wipe up dirt and spills at once from the floor and then clean the residue with a cleaner. For this purpose keep the cleaner in the nearest closet or some convenient place. Avoid turning small problems into big issues. Liquids cause stains and dirt damages the finish.
6- Usage of long “walk-off” doormat:
It is a very useful item on such floors. Spot-cleaning and vacuuming is great, avoiding dirt enter into the room is even better. In California it is suggested to spread a 4 to 6 foot long walk-off doormat at the entrance. People will rub the moist and dirt of their shoes while walking through this long mat thus the floor will be saved.
7- Protecting high-traffic zones through area rugs:
The easiest way to protect your hardwood floor from results of heavy traffic is to use the area rugs. Walking across an area many times a day, eventually wears down the floor and its finish; in such a case area mats are the best choice. Keep one thing in mind that they don’t have backing as rubber and Vinyl backing traps humidity that can damage the floor badly.
8- Never use vinegar:
It is strictly prohibited to use diluted vinegar and ammonia on the hardwood floors as these acids could etch the finish of the floor and leading it appear dull.
9- Only damp mop:
Remember! Use the mop which hardly bears water, if required. Wring the mop tightly whenever it is needed to use on a hardwood floor.
10-Deep cleaning:
The weekly dust mopping is not enough; you have to make a deep cleaning after a year through specific liquids available in the market for the same purpose.