Don't Damp Mop
Water and wood floors don't mix! Use only the manufacturer's recommended cleaning products on your hardwood and cork floor.

Vacuum Regularly
Small stones, mud and gritty dirt tracked in from outside can play havoc on the floors finish. To help combat this use long bristle welcome mats placed at all outside entrances for people to wipe their feet on before entering onto the floors. Also, vacuum using a soft bristle brush attachment.

Use Proper Chair Glides
Narrow wheels, sharp wooden legs or metal furniture legs can scratch and dent hardwood and cork floors. Any furniture that rests directly on top of a hardwood or cork floor should have felt protectors, or furniture coasters under all it's feet. For extremely heavy objects such as a piano, use wide, non-staining rubber cups. Purchasing floor protectors is cheap insurance for protecting your flooring investment.

Protect From Direct Sunlight
Your wood or cork floor may change color or fade due to exposure to direct sunlight. The sun's UV rays accelerate oxidation and aging, so periodically rearranging your furniture and closing the curtains during intense periods of sunlight can help avoid the problem.

Never Wax A Urethane Finish
If your hardwood or cork floor has a polyurethane finish never use a paste wax on the floor's surface. A paste wax may form a sticky film on your floor and allow tracked in dirt to stick to your finish. Polyurethane finishes will not adhere to any wax and adding a fresh coat of polyurethane to your floor will be very difficult. Keep Pet Nails Trimmed - Pet's nails may scratch your floors finish. Regularly trim pet's nails to help reduce scratching your floor's finish.

Wipe Spills Immediately
When accidents happen and some liquid gets spilled on your floor, you should use a slightly damp white cloth, or paper towel to immediately clean up and dry the effected area. For more difficult spots, follow the manufacturer's recommended cleaning procedures.

When Moving Appliances
Make sure to use some form of floor protection when moving appliances. Appliance delivery guys tend to over look using such items and even appliances with wheel can dent, scratch and gouge your floor. When moving appliances, first ensure your floor surface is very clean, as even the smallest amount of dirt and grit can damage your floor under such weight. Then use a protective item, such as 1/8 inch masonite boards to protect the area your appliances will be moving over.