When it comes to the latest hard surface floors, there is usually a greater range of finishes that are possible these days.

How you go about maintaining the floor can depend on the finish as well as such things like the place where it has been fitted and so it is necessary to think carefully about the floor care product you use on the surface.

The first thing you need to do is find out whether your floor has been finished in water-based lacquer, wax or hardwax oil. This is because the recommended care will vary between each of these types of hard floor finishes.

If you are unsure of the finish, you need to speak to the wood flooring specialists who installed the wood floor in the first place or contact the manufacturers of the flooring solution.

Should you be unable to get hold of this information then there are some general guidelines you can still follow in caring for the floor.

For surface finishes, which includes water-based lacquers, it is important to wipe up any spills as soon as possible using a dry or slightly damp cloth. Make sure you keep any grit from the floor.

As well as vacuuming on a regular basis, you can also use a recommended hardwood floor cleaner for the general cleaning of the floor.