Summer is in full force and our days are getting hotter by the minute. While it’s easy to get distracted with fun in the sun, its also important to remember some easy steps to care for our hardwoods and protect them against the heat and rays. If you are not careful, extended contact with the sun may lead to discoloration. Heat and moisture can also cause warping and gaps in your beautiful hardwoods.

Here are some tips and tricks to get you through the remainder of the summer, and safely into the fall season.

1. Block sunlight. Direct light on your hardwoods for extended periods of time can cause discoloration, in certain spots. The only way to rectify this would be to sand your hardwoods and completely re-stain them. To prevent the sun from coming in you can either install an awning, or curtains to prevent the light from coming in to your home.

2. Keep it cool. Many people tend to turn off the air conditioner or raise the temperature when they leave the house. Although this saves money in the interim, it can do major damage to your floors costing even more in the long term. Keeping the house cool will drain the moisture from your home and prevent warming in the wood.

3. Put down the mop. Take a break from cleaning, as hardwood floor cleaners with wax or a shiny coat can draw sunlight to the wood. Since you do not want to experience discoloration, try and maintain your floors by spot cleaning and vacuuming to collect dust and dirt. You can take a break from the cleaning vacation in the fall, when the sun isn’t so strong.

At Sparkle Floors & Carpet, we want to help you maintain your floors, and enjoy your beautiful home. Please do not hesitate to pick up the phone and call us for any questions that you may have!