The look of hardwood floors is undeniably elegant. They are a great investment for your home and can also add property value. In order for you to maintain that great look you must properly care for your floors. I can be a bit difficult if you have kids or pets but there are some things you can do to keep your floors looking their best for years to come.

Here are a few tips to help you care for your hardwood floors.

Clean your floors daily. It may sound like a lot but you should do it. To get the best results use a soft bristle broom. This obviously cleans the floor, but also helps from scratching it.

Use a soft cloth to wipe up spills immediately. Minimize water spills as much as you possibly can.

Take some time and research how to care for your floors properly. This brings us to our next tip.

If your floors have a urethane finish you should never wax them or use a cleaner that will leave any residue.

Clean up any solid or grainy materials like dirt or sand, they can really scratch your floors finish.

Wood expands naturally when it is wet so never use a wet mop or large amounts of water to clean your floors. This could cause the wood to crack.

Never use cleaners that contain ammonia on your hardwood floors they will make them dull. Same advice goes for oily soaps too.

If you feel like doing some rearrangements, never drag furniture across the floor. Lift them instead. Use protectors on the feet of tables and other furniture.

Be careful with high heels or work shoes as they can damage your floors. If possible use bedroom or soft slippers to walk around and when you are ready to leave wear your other shoes.

Pet's claws can wreak havoc on your floors so make sure they are trimmed regularly.

Do not let the kids play with their toys on your floors, as they can scratch them.

The sun also has an effect on your floor. Over time exposure to sunlight may fade or darken the wood. A good idea is to use curtains or window treatments to help protect your investment. Also rotate furniture or rugs from time to time so that the wood ages evenly.

Make good use of area rugs, especially in high traffic areas.

Only use professional wood cleaning products that are recommended by the manufacturer to clean floors. They clean better and keeps the finish intact.

Only use cleaners that are made for your type of floor.

Always hire an experienced professional when doing any work on your floor. Never try to handle it yourself, unless you are an experienced professional.

If you find that normal cleaning is not getting the results you want you may have to screen and recoat your floor.

Take the time to regularly clean your floors and they will last a long time. Do not be afraid to use professional help if necessary. Just follow these tips and you can enjoy your hardwood floors for years to come.