If you have solid wood flooring within your house, you are certainly going to be the envy of many of your friends and family. Wooden flooring gives off a sense of style and quality which you simply cannot replicate with carpets. After all, many of the very finest people in history have enjoyed the feel of having solid oak wood flooring inside their homes. There are many benefits that come with having wood floors as opposed to carpeted ones, but if you have never had any before you may not be sure on how to best care for them. One of the major differences between wood and carpeted floors is the differentiation in absorbency levels. If you spill something such as a glass of red wine of a carpet, the liquid is likely to soak into and stain the fabric area affected in no time whatsoever. This can then cause many hours of scrubbing away at the stain with white wine and soapy water in an effort to remove it! If it is a really bad stain then you may be forced to call in a professional carpet cleaner which is sure to cost you a significant amount of money. However, with wooden floors you do not have to worry so much about unsightly stains. Most liquids can be mopped up immediately with as little fuss as possible, meaning that you can concern yourself with more important things in life – like enjoying the wine! Household areas such as hallways or kitchens may benefit from the placement of a quality rug in order to protect the sections of your floors which have the heaviest use. Think about the number of heavy feet that tramp up and down your hallway each day and you will understand why it can be a good idea to help give your floors that little bit of extra protection! What is more, a decent rug can help accentuate the beautiful deep colours of your wooden floorboards. Solid oak floors are very easy to look after in terms of keeping clean and tidy. You don’t have to invest in any nasty chemical based cleaning fluids or tools. Make sure that you give your floors a decent sweep with a broom or dustpan and brush around once a week to dislodge any loose dirt or grit which might work into the wood. When faced with really muddy or dirty areas, simply use a bowl of warm water and mop or cloth to gently dislodge the grime. It is important to ensure that you always dry your floors after mopping as this helps to protect the shape and integrity of the wooden boards. Vacuuming is another effective way of cleaning up your wooden floors. Keep the suction power at a low level and feel free to hoover your heart away! Wooden floorboards really do add a sense of character to a home and they can last a lifetime as long as they are looked after properly. You don’t need fancy equipment, common sense will do!