Browse our editorial collections and find your perfect floor.
Browse Collections
A clear guide to cleaning, maintaining and protecting wood flooring. Follow these best-practice steps to preserve the beauty, finish and long-term performance of your floor.
Wood flooring is easy to maintain when it is cleaned correctly and protected from unnecessary wear. Most long-term damage comes not from everyday use, but from grit, standing moisture, unsuitable products or unstable room conditions.
A good care routine does not need to be complicated. Regular dry cleaning, fast spill removal and basic protection around furniture and entrances will keep the floor looking better for longer.
Cleaning is only one part of aftercare. See how humidity and room climate affect long-term floor stability.
The most effective routine for wood flooring is simple: remove dust, grit and debris regularly before they can dull or scratch the surface.
Standing moisture is one of the most common causes of avoidable damage. Spills should always be removed promptly and the floor should never be left wet.
In addition to routine sweeping or vacuuming, wood flooring may be cleaned periodically with an approved wood floor cleaner suitable for its finish. The floor should never be soaked, and harsh cleaners should always be avoided.
Not all wood flooring finishes should be treated the same way. Lacquered, oiled and hard wax oiled floors each have different maintenance needs, so it is important to use the correct care system for the specific finish.
Protecting the floor from dirt, scratching and heavy point pressure is just as important as cleaning it correctly.
Many problems come from using the wrong products rather than from normal wear. Wood floors should not be treated like tile, vinyl or other hard surfaces.
Unsuitable products can dull the finish, leave residue, make the surface slippery or create a build-up that is difficult to remove later.
General care advice applies to most wood floors, but some finishes require their own maintenance approach. This is why it is useful to separate your care pages by finish type.
Usually the easiest to clean day to day. The focus is on regular dust removal, prompt spill wiping and avoiding abrasive or high-moisture cleaning methods.
These finishes may need periodic refresh treatments or maintenance oil depending on wear. They should always be cleaned using finish-appropriate products.
Wood is a natural product and will respond to its environment. Stable indoor conditions help reduce excessive shrinkage, expansion and visible movement over time.
A well-maintained room climate and a simple care routine are often the two most important factors in keeping a wood floor looking premium for years.
Useful next reads from the Homes & Floors guide centre and article hub.
Guide
Guide
Guide
Care & Maintenance
Care & Maintenance
Featured Guides
A dedicated guide to caring for oiled wood flooring, including natural oiled and UV oiled finishes. Follow these steps to keep the surface protected, refreshed and looking beautifully…
Open next guide
