If you've decided to invest in wood flooring, you've made a great decision. Wood flooring is one of the best choices for residential flooring. One of the great things about wood flooring is that it goes well with just about any decor. However, you do need to take steps to preserve the beauty and to avoid damage. Here are four of the steps you can take to extend the life of your new wood floor. 

Take Extra Care in the Kitchen

If you're going to have wood flooring in the kitchen, it's crucial that you take extra care to avoid damage. This is especially important where canned goods and sharp objects are concerned. You might not realize this, but dropping objects on your wood flooring can do considerable damage to it. To avoid the damage, it's a good idea to place rugs on the floor in those high traffic areas of the kitchen, especially around the cabinets and sink. 

Keep Wet Towels Off the Floor

If you're like most people, you probably find the occasional wet towel on the floor. When you have carpeted or tile floors, those wet towels don't pose much of a threat. However, that's not the case with wood floors. In fact, wet towels can do serious damage such as discoloration and warping, especially if they're allowed to linger on the floor long enough. To protect your wood floor from moisture damage, be sure to keep wet towels up off the floor. 

Use Rugs in the Play Areas

If you have young children, you probably have your fair share of toys lying around the house. However, if you have a designated toy room, it's a good idea to provide a protected floor area for playing. Placing an area rug in your kids' playroom will provide a couple of benefits. First, it will protect your wood floor from scratches, dings, and gouges. Second, it will give your kids a soft area for playing and traction for walking and running.

Practice Safe Cleaning 

Finally, if you're going to use wood flooring in your home, you'll want to ensure safe cleaning practices. You might not realize this, but using the wrong cleaning method can damage your wood floors. First, always use a soft dust mop to remove dust and dirt from the floor. Second, always ensure that you use a damp mop for deep cleaning. Excess moisture can lead to water spots.