Hardwood Floor Care & Maintenance Tips for Omaha Homes
At Keystone Carpet & Tile, we've been installing and advising on hardwood floors across Omaha since 1999. One of the most common questions we hear after installation is: "How do I keep these looking great?" This guide gives you our honest, practical answers.
Omaha's climate adds an extra layer to hardwood care that not every guide covers. Our summers are humid and our winters are dry, and those swings affect wood floors more than most people realize. We've factored that in throughout this page.
If you have questions about your specific floor or want to explore new hardwood flooring options for your home, get in touch with our team — we're always happy to help.
For Cleaning, Make Sure You...
Use a damp cloth to blot spills and spots as soon as they happen. For tough spots, such as oil, paint, markers, lipstick, ink, tar, or cigarette marks, use acetone/nail polish remover on a clean white cloth, then wipe with a damp cloth. Always avoid allowing liquids to stand on your floor. Sweep, dust, or vacuum the floor regularly with the hard floor attachment (not the beater bar) to prevent accumulation of dirt or grit that can scratch or dull the floor finish. Occasionally wipe the floor with a damp mop or cloth. Periodically clean the floor with R2X Hard Surfaces Flooring Cleaner from Shaw's line of floor covering care products.
While Cleaning Is Easy, There Are a Few Things to Avoid:
Don't use oil-based, wax, polish, or strong ammoniated or abrasive cleaners. Don't use steel wool or scouring powder. Don't wash or wet-mop the floor with soap, water, oil-soap detergent, or any other liquid cleaning material. This could cause swelling, warping, delamination, and joint-line separation, and void the warranty. Don't use any type of buffing machine.
Other Routine Care Instructions:
For spots such as candle wax or chewing gum, harden the spot with ice and then gently scrape with a plastic scraper, such as a credit card. Be careful not to scratch the flooring surface. Wipe clean with a damp cloth. For tough stains, use Shaw's R2X Hard Surfaces Flooring Cleaner. Do not use any type of buffing machine.
Use Protective Mats
Good quality entry and exit mats will help collect the dirt, sand, grit, and other substances such as oil, asphalt, or driveway sealer that can otherwise be tracked onto your flooring. Do not use rubber- or foam-backed plastic mats as they may discolor the flooring. To prevent slippage, use an approved vinyl rug underlayment. You can also explore our area rugs collection for stylish options that protect your hardwood at entryways and high-traffic zones.
Use Floor Protectors on Furniture
Use floor protectors and wide-load-bearing leg bases/rollers to minimize indentations and scratches from heavy objects. As a rule, the heavier the object, the wider the floor protector should be.
Maintain Relative Humidity Level
Maintain a normal indoor relative humidity level between 45 and 65% throughout the year to minimize the natural expansion and contraction of wood.
This is especially important for Omaha homeowners. Our climate swings between hot, humid summers and cold, dry winters, which puts more stress on hardwood floors than many people expect. If you're unsure which hardwood flooring handles Omaha's moisture cycles best, our team can help you find the right fit.
Heating Season (Dry): A humidifier is recommended to prevent excess shrinkage due to low humidity levels. Wood stove and electric heat tend to create very dry conditions.
Non-Heating Season (Wet): An air conditioner, dehumidifier, or periodically turning on your heating system can maintain humidity during the summer months. Avoid excessive exposure to water during periods of inclement weather.
If you have engineered hardwood, you'll find it handles these seasonal swings more reliably than solid wood, thanks to its layered EnviroCore construction.
Avoid Sharp Objects
While your Shaw Hardwood floor is one of the most wear-resistant floors on the market, sharp or pointed objects can damage it nonetheless.
Watch Your Feet
Don't walk on your flooring with stiletto-style heels, spiked golf shoes, or cleats. They may cause indentations in your flooring.
Watch Your Pet's Feet
Keep your pet's nails trimmed to keep them from scratching your flooring. If you have pets and are still choosing a floor, our team can help you weigh up hardwood versus other flooring options that may handle pet traffic more easily.
Rearrange Your Rugs and Furniture
Periodically rearranging your area rugs and furniture will allow the flooring to age evenly. UV sunlight will soften the tone of different species of hardwood to varying degrees.
Protect the Floor When Moving
Use a dolly when moving heavy furniture or appliances. But first, put down a sheet of quarter-inch plywood or Masonite to protect the floor. Never try to slide or roll heavy objects across the floor. If your floors have taken some damage over the years, our team also offers floor repair services to get them looking their best again.
Questions About Your Hardwood Floor? We're Here to Help.
At Keystone Carpet & Tile, we've been helping Omaha homeowners take care of their floors since 1999. Whether you need advice on cleaning products, want to explore a new hardwood installation for another room, or are just not sure what's going on with your floors, give us a call.
📞 (402) 573-6000 | Contact Us
Visit us at 2529 N 85th St, Omaha, NE 68134-6201 — we're open Monday through Friday and by appointment on Saturdays.