Flooring Care 101: Maintain Beautiful Hardwood, LVP, and Laminate Floors

Your floors take more abuse than any other surface in your home. Between foot traffic, furniture moves, pet claws, and daily wear, it's remarkable they hold up as well as they do. The secret? Proper care tailored to your specific flooring type.

Whether you have classic hardwood, modern luxury vinyl plank (LVP), or budget-friendly laminate, understanding the right maintenance approach keeps your floors looking beautiful for decades.

Understanding Your Flooring Type

Before we dive into care routines, let's clarify what you're working with:

Hardwood is real wood that can be refinished multiple times. It's sensitive to moisture and scratches but incredibly durable when properly maintained.

Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) is synthetic flooring designed to look like wood or stone. It's waterproof, scratch-resistant, and low-maintenance but cannot be refinished.

Laminate is a printed image of wood or stone on a fiberboard core with a protective layer. It's affordable and durable but sensitive to moisture and cannot be refinished.

Daily and Weekly Cleaning

Hardwood Floors

Daily:

• Sweep or use a microfiber dust mop to remove dirt and debris
• Spot-clean spills immediately with a slightly damp cloth
• Place mats at entrances to trap dirt and moisture

Weekly:

• Vacuum with a floor-brush attachment (not a beater bar)
• Damp mop with hardwood floor cleaner—never soak the floor
• Work in the direction of the wood grain

What to avoid:

• Never use steam mops (moisture penetrates wood)
• No oil-based or wax cleaners (they leave residue)
• Avoid vinegar and water (acidic and too wet)
• Don't use abrasive scrubbers

Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP)

Daily:

• Sweep or vacuum to remove loose dirt
• Wipe up spills promptly

Weekly:

• Damp mop with LVP-specific cleaner or mild soap and water
• Use a microfiber mop for streak-free results
• Rinse if using soap to prevent buildup

What to avoid:

• Abrasive scrubbers that dull the finish
• Wax or polish products
• Harsh chemicals like ammonia or bleach
• Steam mops (heat can damage the wear layer)

Laminate Floors

Daily:

• Sweep or use a dry microfiber mop
• Address spills immediately—laminate's fiberboard core swells when wet

Weekly:

• Use a barely damp mop with laminate cleaner
• Dry immediately to prevent water damage
• Vacuum without a beater bar

What to avoid:

• Never use wet mops or excess water
• No steam mops
• Avoid abrasive tools
• Don't use polish or wax

Scratch Prevention Strategies

For all floor types:

1. Furniture pads - Use felt pads under all furniture legs. Replace every 6-12 months as they compress and lose effectiveness.

2. Entryway mats - Place mats inside and outside doors. This single step prevents 80% of floor damage by trapping dirt, stones, and moisture.

3. Area rugs - Use rugs in high-traffic areas, but ensure they have non-staining backing. Test a small area first.

4. Trim pet nails - Keep dog and cat nails trimmed to prevent scratching.

5. Proper shoes - Remove shoes with damaged heels, cleats, or spiked heels indoors.

6. Moving furniture - Always lift, never drag. Use furniture sliders for heavy pieces.

7. Caster wheels - Replace hard plastic casters with soft rubber versions on office chairs and furniture.

Deep Cleaning and Maintenance

Hardwood Deep Cleaning

Every 3-6 months:

• Use a wood floor deep cleaner to remove built-up residue
• Consider professional cleaning for high-traffic areas
• Inspect for damage, loose boards, or finish wear

Recoating vs. Refinishing:

Your hardwood can be refreshed without full refinishing:

Screen and recoat (every 3-5 years):

• Light abrasion of existing finish
• New coat of polyurethane applied
• Costs about 1/3 of full refinishing
• Takes 1-2 days

Full refinishing (every 10-20 years):

• Sanding down to bare wood
• Staining (if desired)
• Multiple coats of finish
• Takes 3-5 days
• Can be done 4-6 times over the floor's lifetime

LVP and Laminate Deep Cleaning

Every 3-6 months:

• Deep clean with appropriate floor cleaner
• Inspect for damaged planks
• Check for separation or lifting at seams
• Clean between planks with a soft brush

Note: These floors cannot be refinished. When they wear out or get damaged, planks must be replaced.

Moisture Protection

Hardwood:

• Maintain indoor humidity at 35-55%
• Use dehumidifiers in basements
• Never let water stand on floors
• Clean up spills immediately
• Address leaks promptly

Laminate:

• Even more sensitive to moisture than hardwood
• Never use wet mops
• Ensure proper humidity control
• Seal edges in kitchens and bathrooms

LVP:

• Most water-resistant option
• Still avoid standing water
• Ensure proper installation to prevent water underneath

Sunlight and Fading

All flooring types can fade from UV exposure:

• Use window treatments during peak sun hours
• Apply UV-blocking window film
• Rotate rugs and furniture periodically to ensure even aging
• Consider area rugs in bright rooms

Seasonal Care

Winter:

• Use mats to trap salt and sand
• Maintain consistent indoor humidity
• Be extra vigilant about wet boots and snow

Spring/Summer:

• Deep clean after winter
• Check for damage from winter moisture
• Control humidity as temperatures rise

Fall:

• Prepare for heating season (can dry out hardwood)
• Add humidity control if needed
• Inspect and replace worn entry mats

Common Problems and Solutions

Scratches:

• Hardwood: Use touch-up markers, wax sticks, or refinish
• LVP/Laminate: Repair kits or plank replacement only options

Water damage:

• Hardwood: May require sanding and refinishing or board replacement
• Laminate: Usually requires plank replacement
• LVP: More forgiving; dry thoroughly and assess

Squeaky floors:

• Often caused by loose subfloor or movement between boards
• May require professional assessment
• Can sometimes be fixed from below or with specialized screws

Gaps between boards:

• Hardwood: Normal seasonal expansion/contraction; major gaps may need filling
• Laminate/LVP: May indicate installation issues or damage

When to Call a Professional

Some situations require expert help:

• Extensive water damage
• Major scratches or gouges in hardwood
• Cupping or crowning (warped boards)
• Loose or damaged boards
• Complete refinishing projects
• Proper diagnosis of squeaks or structural issues

Signs It's Time to Refinish (Hardwood)

• Finish is worn through to bare wood in high-traffic areas
• Deep scratches that cleaning won't address
• Water stains that have penetrated the finish
• Dull, gray appearance even after cleaning
• Splintering or rough texture

The Bottom Line

Flooring care doesn't have to be complicated. The key is understanding your specific floor type and following appropriate cleaning methods. Daily sweeping, weekly damp mopping (not wet!), and scratch prevention measures will keep any floor type looking great.

At La Vaca General Contractors, we've installed and maintained thousands of square feet of flooring across New Jersey. We've seen gorgeous hardwood ruined by steam mops and laminate destroyed by excess water—all preventable with proper care.

We've also seen 30-year-old floors that look nearly new because their owners followed simple maintenance routines. Your floors are a major investment. Treat them right, and they'll reward you with decades of beauty.

Need professional floor installation, refinishing, or repair? Contact our team for honest advice and quality craftsmanship tailored to your home.