Congratulations! You just installed your new floors. And while floors are made to be walked on, no one can blame you for wanting to keep them looking new for as long as possible! Here are 10 tips to keep your floors looking great for years to come.

Place Mats At All entrances

Deposited dirt, debris, and other types of grime can cause damage to almost all types of floors. Make sure everyone wipes their feet when they enter your home. Better yet, take off your shoes when you enter, especially if you’re wearing shoes with heels or high heels, as they can dent or damage certain types of floors.

Clean Up Spills Immediately

In addition to preventing accidents like someone slipping on a slippery surface, cleaning up spills immediately goes a long way toward ensuring that your floors don’t warp, stain, or suffer water damage. For spills on carpeted floors, absorb the spill with a dry white cloth or paper towel, then blot the area with a small amount of carpet cleaner. Do not rub the spill; This can damage or fray the carpet fibers. Once the stain has been cleaned, blot the area with water to remove any carpet cleaner residue.

Sweep Or Mop Regularly

Removing dust, dirt, debris, and pet hair will keep your floors looking pristine and will also help prevent scuffs, scratches, or stains. The National Hardwood Flooring Association recommends doing this every day. 

Vacuum Hard Surfaces Carefully

If you have hardwood, laminate, or vinyl floors, vacuum only using the bare floor setting. Using a beater bar on these floors can damage them and make maintaining new floors even more difficult.

Pay Special Attention To High Traffic Areas

Consider vacuuming high-traffic areas of the house daily, such as entryways and hallways, especially if you have carpets. If you don’t, dust and dirt can become trapped in the fibers, making the carpet look dirty and posing problems for people with asthma or allergies.

Damp Mopping? Proceed With Caution

Some surfaces, such as luxury vinyl or porcelain stoneware, can be wet scrubbed without any problems. But almost all types of hardwood floors (or laminate, for that matter) are waterproof—so using a wet mop can seriously damage them. Standing water can also discolor or dull the floor finish. Your retailer may have manufacturer-recommended floor cleaners, so ask them what they have in their store.