If you spill a liquid on your wood floor, it can cause permanent stains, no matter what you treated your floor with. You should always dry up spilled water, coffee, wine and other liquids immediately. If the finish is worn or damaged, you should get it treated as soon as possible. It only gets worse with time.

Your pets are part of the family and move freely all over the house - even on your floors. However, your pet's claws can cause scratches on your wood floor. It’s important to trim their claws when they get long to avoid permanent damage.

Regardless of the finish, there is always a risk that heels will make imprints on your wood floor. Remove shoes at the door to avoid scuffs or scratches from heels or dirt from outside.

Dogs are messy, especially when eating and drinking. Always wipe away food and water spills around the area your pets have been eating and drinking. The longer they stay, the harder they will be to remove.

Though it can be a hassle to take your shoes off at the door, it is a very important step for maintaining the life of your wood floor. Add a bench to sit on next to the door and a boot rack or tray to keep things organized. You'll avoid dragging gravel and dirt onto your floor, which can scratch the floor's surface.

Wood is an amazing natural material, which is why children love to sit and play on it with pens, paint or even markers. Grab a mat that you don't mind getting dirty before the art project begins, or move them to the table to rest easy that your wood floor stays safe.

Plants bring us joy and beauty inside our home, but be careful where you place them to avoid damaging your wood floor. Make sure you have a sturdy watering tray under your plant that doesn't leak and mop up any overspill or sprays when watering with a Microfiber Mop to avoid dark water rings that could lead to permanent damage.

Regardless of what type of finish you use on your wood floor, scratches from chairs and tables will damage it, making it less resistant to dirt and moisture. Grab some cheap furniture protectors from the hardware store and that will do the trick!