Scratches, scuffs, spills, scrapes and traffic. Our hardwood floors take on a lot of wear and tear during the day especially if you have children, pets, or both. If you are getting ready to list your home for sale, by getting into a routine is important to make sure they are always clean and sparkling for potential buyers. While caring for your hardwood floors may seem timely and strenuous, we can help. These three quick tips will help you keep your hardwood floors in tip-top shape without all the hassle:

1. No shoes in the house. This is something many of us practice, but can sometimes become lenient with, mostly when we are in a rush. Throughout the seasons in Northeastern Pennsylvania, the hardwood floors in our homes take the brunt of the weather. From dirt to mud and rain to snow, there is not much that isn't traced throughout the house from shoes. Remember to keep your shoes in the garage, mudroom or taken off before entering and carried to the closet. The dirty bottoms of our shoes can cause wear and tear on the hardwood's finish. 
   
   
2. Keep sharper objects to a bare minimum. Anything that can cause scuffs or scratches should be left off of hardwoods floors. This can include children's toys, pets' toenails or legs on furniture. Using felt pads on furniture can help prevent scratching. Also, area rugs and runners can also protect the floors and prevent majority of this traffic. 
   
   
3. Routine polishing and refinishing. By finding the right products and tools to clean your floors, you will help extend the lifetime of the hardwood's finishing. Eventually refinishing the floors will be necessary to really bring them back to life. With a light sanding and a fresh coat of polyurethane, the floors can be like new again. 

To help in cleaning efforts, our agents have compiled a top-three list of the top rated hardwood cleaning products:

• Method Squirt + Mop Hardwood Floor Cleaner- Along with a great smell, this product is biodegradable and very easy to use.
• Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaning Spray- Safe for most wood floor finishes, this product is fast drying and residue-free.
• Murphy's Oil Soap Wood Cleaner and Polish- A favorite for many years, Murphy's cleans while creating the ultimate shine.

While we all want our hardwood floors to look their best, you never want to use a product that will damage the floors. If you are unsure about a product or tool to use on the wood, its best to seek help from a professional.