| Bamboo flooring is a beautiful, environmentally | | | | 1. Get your bamboo flooring too wet. This can |
| friendly material that will enhance the look and | | | | cause serious long-term damage. Soak up spills |
| value of your home. But it needs to be dealt with | | | | immediately. Make sure that pots containing |
| properly to insure many years of use. So here | | | | houseplants do not leak water onto your floor. |
| are five things you should do and five things you | | | | 2. Clean your bamboo with abrasive materials. |
| should not do with your bamboo flooring to keep | | | | Although bamboo makes for a reasonably strong |
| it looking good. | | | | material, it will retain its beauty better if treated |
| Five things you should do to your bamboo flooring: | | | | gently with cleaners made specifically for |
| 1. Make sure that your subfloor is dry and level. | | | | hardwood floors. |
| Never begin flooring installation until the base is | | | | 3. Install bamboo in very damp areas. Bathrooms |
| ready. Make sure you have all of your supplies | | | | may not be good settings for bamboo flooring, |
| together before beginning installation. | | | | and certainly not saunas. Bamboo is best for dry |
| 2. Allow your bamboo flooring to acclimate to the | | | | parts of your home. Installation in areas of |
| area of installation. Allow the bamboo planks to | | | | extreme moisture may void your flooring |
| expand or contract naturally before installation. | | | | warranty. |
| 3. Order up to 10% more square footage than | | | | 4. Expose bamboo to prolonged periods of intense |
| your measurements indicate. There will be some | | | | light. Over time, intense light will cause the |
| waste during the installation process so it is better | | | | bamboo to fade. Use curtains and blinds to limit |
| to have a little bit too much than a little bit too | | | | the amount of direct sunlight to which your |
| little. | | | | flooring is exposed. |
| 4. Use dry brooms and slightly damp mops to | | | | 5. Walk on your bamboo flooring with high heels. |
| clean your bamboo flooring. Clean it regularly to | | | | This is a surefire way to scratch your bamboo. |
| keep it free from particles that can scratch the | | | | Don't do it! Take your shoes off at the door |
| surface. Use only cleaners made specifically for | | | | when entering the room. |
| hardwood floors. | | | | So there is your list of five things that you should |
| 5. Use runners, mats, and furniture pads to | | | | do and five things you should not do with your |
| prevent scratches and keep your bamboo flooring | | | | bamboo flooring. You should look at your bamboo |
| clean. Request that guests wipe or remove their | | | | as an investment - an investment in your soul and |
| shoes upon entering, especially if they are wearing | | | | an investment in the value of your home. Treat it |
| shoes with potentially damaging heels. Never, | | | | accordingly by following our advice above. |
| ever, scoot furniture across your bamboo flooring | | | | Respect your bamboo flooring (and ask your |
| without pads beneath the furniture feet. | | | | family and guests to do the same) and it will |
| Five things you should not do to your bamboo | | | | provide you with years of quality and beauty. |
| flooring: | | | | |