Spring 2026 At Home in Edmond

A PUBLICATION OF EDMOND LIFE & LEISURE

Letter from the Publisher Letter from the Publisher

EXCELLENT TIME TO INVEST IN EDMOND

If you are like most of us, your home is the biggest investment. More importantly, it is where your memories are made with your families and the ones you love. Even if your children are leaving for college, your home offers them a great place to return to and brings back some great memories for them. Edmond is a great place to have that financial and emotional investment. What is so special about Edmond?

We could start with our schools, low crime rate, parks, city government, our own electric company, strict zoning, great retail options with more to come, low cost of living, quality builders and developers, sports programs, terrific places to eat, and public art. Edmond has a thriving downtown area that is bursting with new shops, restaurants and a growing number of housing options. Edmond is home to the state’s fourth largest school district, Edmond Public Schools. The district is also the state’s most honored public school district, with nationally recognized Blue Ribbon Schools. Edmond also offers multiple private schools and other childcare options. Edmond is continually bringing new businesses to town, and more business means more city tax income which all goes to maintaining great city services that Edmond residents have come to expect. Yet we enjoy one of the lowest cost of living in the country.

Nobody wants to make the wrong decision when investing in a home. This is especially true with interest rates falling and housing in short supply. We want to be sure that the major purchase we are making is the right one in the right place. That is why you should look at professionals in this area that are qualified to walk you through the tough decisions of financing, building, remodeling or redecorating. Our At Home in Edmond magazine gives you just that opportunity to find trusted professionals in our community.

I want to thank our staff for their hard work on this magazine. It is tough when putting out a weekly newspaper to put out a magazine the size of this one as well. They have done an excellent job once again. Our At Home in Edmond magazine is just another way we enjoy providing valuable information to our community. We are locally owned, locally operated and nobody can out “Edmond” our staff.

We have been publishing our At Home In Edmond for almost 24 years and along with our weekly newspaper, it is by far the best information you will find on this community. Our staff and our advertisers love Edmond and hope you do as well.

Best Regards,

Ray Hibbard

Publisher Edmond Life & Leisure

Marcella

Erika Williams Rose Drebes GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Marcella

A honey bee family Sweet Stingers-

By Erika Williams

Bees buzzing around our gardens is one sure sign that spring has returned. What many may not know is that these small but mighty insects have a large impact on our environment. One local business has made it their mission to provide education on the role bees play in our everyday lives.

Sweet Stingers Honey and Apiary is a family-owned business offering honey, beeswax candles, and other hive goods, but Sweet Stingers’ services extend beyond that of the typical apiary.

Justin Scott, a second-generation beekeeper, has been interested in bees since he was three years old. His fascination with bees started from spending time with his grandfather who was a gardener.

“He never sold honey or anything. He would give honey away actually. He just wanted the bees for his garden, so he was a beekeeper for the garden, and that’s how we started out,” said Justin.

Justin himself is also an avid garden-

er and originally kept bees for the same reason as his grandfather, but around 2012, his business began to shift into what it is today. Sweet Stingers is run by Justin, his wife, and their two children with a focus on small harvests and community education.

Like many apiaries, Sweet Stingers does offer a variety of bee products, but the thing that makes them unique is the sheer number of beehives they manage.

In addition to the beehives on their Guthrie property, they service beehives across the state. Sweet Stingers manages about 800 to 1000 hives in total across 57 counties in Oklahoma.

“When COVID shut everything down, we made a big switch and we started managing bees for people instead of what your traditional apiary is nowadays, which are like large acre areas. Most of our colonies sit in backyard neighborhoods. We’re spread out all across Oklahoma. As far as we know, we’re the only beekeeping operation in all six regions,” said Justin.

Having hives across Oklahoma allows Sweet Stingers to offer a unique variety of products. For instance, Sweet Stingers has a wide array of honey from sweet honey to naturally spicy honey, to creamed honey.

“A lot of people don’t realize honey can have different flavors and different colors. Most people are used to like an amber color honey, and they kind of taste all the same. I call that storebought honey. When you get into the raw world of honey there’s everything from white honey, which is like crystal clear and looks like water, all the way up to black honey. There’s actually eight colors of honey,” said Justin. “The flavor profiles can go from traditional sweet, to naturally spicy, to bitter. It can even be really bold, like a buckwheat honey.”

To simplify the honey-buying process for customers, Sweet Stingers uses different colors of dots to help identify each honey type.

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Sweet Stingers is also a vendor at the Edmond Farmers Market where they sell other related products like bee pollen and beeswax candles which have health benefits.

“Bee pollen is becoming more and more popular as people learn information on it. It’s one of those extremely nu-

Sweet Stingers manages about 800 to 1000 hives in total across 57 counties in Oklahoma.

trient-dense foods. It has nearly every vitamin and mineral that the body needs, so it’s like mother nature’s multivitamin,” said Justin. “For the candles, beeswax is a naturally occurring wax, so we’re not relying

and Oklahoma City area, and he’s grateful they can use their platform to make a real community impact.

Said Justin, “A lot of our following is local which is really beneficial, not just for the small business part, but we’re educating the local population about bees, about how they swarm, what to do with them, and how to get ahold of the beekeeper. It’s going beyond the business to kind of a mission. We don’t really use our social media to post products. We’re more about education.”

The educational piece doesn’t only exist online. Justin currently offers a beginning beekeeping class at Meridian Technology Center in Guthrie. He also visits elementary schools and hosts field trips so kids can begin learning about bees at a young age.

on plants or like soy. It’s a very hot wax so it burns a lot longer than your traditional soy or paraffin wax. One good benefit about beeswax candles is they attract the allergens in the air and help neutralize the house.”

In addition to providing these products, Sweet Stingers is also focused on providing education on bees, pollination, and bee keeping. During the pandemic, Justin and his wife, who is a teacher, had success on social media with their “Lessons from the Beehive” series which they continue to do today.

They post nearly every day with the goal of educating the community and other beekeepers. Justin says their Facebook following is mostly made up of those in the Edmond

“We travel around the state various elementary schools, and we will do presentations for kids about you know the importance of pollinators the importance of honeybees,” said Justin.

To help both adults and children understand beehives better, Justin had an acrylic beehive made last year, and when the weather is nice, he brings it to presentations and the farmer’s market.

Said Justin, “It’s an actual fully functioning see-through beehive.

Those aren’t very common, so we’re excited to have one that travels to markets and to schools with us. Most people have never seen the inner workings of a beehive, so this way they get to see everything with it being safe.”

Although bees do provide us with goods like honey, beeswax, and bee pollen, Justin emphasized their role in our environment goes beyond that. Bees are also a primary pollinator for over 30% of the world’s food supply. A big reason that Justin focuses on education is because he wants people to understand the ways bees contribute to the pollination process and our ecosystem.

“Most people think pollination only impacts vegetables and fruits, without pollination those would be wiped out, but so would things like coffee or chocolate. It also affects the meat-supply side because our livestock depends on the grains, alfalfa, and clover, and those have to be pollinated by the pollinators. People don’t realize like you can lose entire ecosystems without pollinators, so it goes beyond our food source,” said Justin.

Those wishing to learn more about Sweet Stingers can visit them at the Edmond Farmer’s Market every Saturday or follow their Facebook page for information about products and for Lessons from the Beehive.

La LobaNew Railyard hot spot

By Rose Drebes

Under the premise that downtown Edmond needs more “date night” restaurants, Lori and Robert Black opened La Loba in Edmond’s Railyard.

We have several breakfast and lunch restaurants, but only a couple of restaurants that focus on an elevated dinner experience,” Robert said.

“Our hope is that we can create more opportunities to drive guests into downtown Edmond, which is a win for all of us.”

La Loba is a chef-driven Mexican restaurant, with dishes inspired by the great food and drinks found in central, southern and coastal Mexico, he said.

the Edmond community,” Robert said. “The bar program centers around craft margaritas, sipping tequilas and mezcals, and a focused selection of beer and wine.

“Our menu is meant to be a shared-plate experience. You will

ily businesses for sure,” Robert said. “Our ‘why’ is centered around our faith, our community, of course, family and kindness. We could open businesses anywhere, but we choose downtown Edmond, because it is our home.

“I know that it will quickly become the hottest date-night restaurant in our area.”

“Our flavors are bold and vibrant, we are vegetable forward and have many unique and creative dishes that will be a new experience for

find many family-style dishes and presentations among our selections.”

The Blacks also own Café Evoke and Twisted Tree Baking Company, as well as Bluebird Books, all located in downtown Edmond.

“All of our businesses are fam-

“It’s where we live, it’s where our kids are and it’s where we all want to work, live and play.”

The coffee served at La Loba comes from Cafe Evoke and the desserts and baked goods are made at Twisted Tree Baking Company.

“There is a natural synergy in weaving the fabric of our businesses together,” he said.

La Loba opened with 22 employees with plans to grow from there.

“We have a great team at La Loba,” Robert said.

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The front of house manager is Giovanni Vignola, who also owns and operates Vignola’s inside the Railyard. Robert is the executive chef at La Loba and the sous chef in the kitchen is Andrew Landrith.

As owners/operators, guests and staff will see Lori and Robert in La Loba every day, just like you can find them now at Bluebird Books, Cafe Evoke and Twisted Tree Baking Company.

“We are excited to bring something new to the dining scene in Edmond,” Robert said.

Where most Mexican food restaurants in our region would be described as Tex-Mex, and have a very similar line of offerings, La Loba is about peppers, chiles, fresh vegetables and masa.

“You won’t find refried beans, fajitas or queso dip on

The bar program at La Loba centers around craft margaritas, sipping tequilas and mezcals, and a focused selection of beer and wine.

La Loba is about peppers, chiles, fresh vegetables and masa.

Legend has it that La Loba, the she-wolf, breathes life back into the bones left in the desert. Lori and Robert Black’s goal is to keep breathing life into the downtown Edmond area.

the menu, but you will get to try some things you’ve likely never had before” Robert said.

La Loba’s hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The restaurant is closed Sundays and Mondays. continued from Page 12

“Some examples I’m most excited about? Mexico City style fried quesadillas doradas, enmoladas de queso, esquites con camarones, blue corn totopos and salsa brava roasted bone marrow top the list!

“While kids are most certainly welcome, La Loba’s menu and price point is geared more toward adults and I know that it will quickly become the hottest date-night restaurant in our area.”

La Loba Cantina & Grill is best described as “casually awesome,” he said.

“Legend has it that La Loba, the she-wolf, breathes life back into the bones left in the desert,” Robert concluded. “Our goal is to keep breathing life into the downtown area. We can’t wait to share it with you all.”

Plan a playroom the whole family can enjoy

There’s no shortage of ways to utilize interior spaces in a home. Interior spaces have grown considerably in recent decades. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median size of a new home in 1980 was 1,595 square feet. By 2018, the median size of a newly constructed home was 2,386 square feet. Though Realtor. com data indicates the median home size started to shrink between 2015 and 2025, modern homes continue to provide lots of room to maneuver. When confronted with ample interior space, homeowners may wonder what to do with all that extra room. Playrooms can be a great way to utilize extra space to

the fullest, particularly in homes with children. Parents planning a playroom in their homes can consider these tips to ensure the space becomes a fun room everyone can enjoy.

• Measure the space. Measuring the dimensions in a prospective playroom can erase any doubts homeowners may have regarding how much space they have to work with. Taking measurements also makes it easier to identify which furnishings, including couches and storage units, will fit comfortably into the space. Homeowners who plan to install new flooring or carpeting also will need to know the dimensions to get an accurate idea of how much that portion of the conversion project will cost.

• Keep in mind young children’s preferences to stay close. A basement playroom may work as children enter their

tweens and early adolescence, but such separation from the rest of the home may compel young children to avoid the space. Elementary school children and younger kids generally like to stay close to Mom and Dad, so a basement playroom may not be ideal for such youngsters. In such instances, converting a seldom-used formal dining room into a temporary playroom may be a better option. As children age, the basement can be utilized as a playroom with greater frequency until it becomes the lone play space in the home.

• Emphasize organization. Playrooms can quickly be overrun by toys. Though no two children are exactly the same, the professionals at Brain Balance Achievement Centers note the expected attention span of a two-year-old is four to six minutes. A four-year-old’s expected attention span may peak at 12 minutes, while an eight-year-old’s expected attention span is between 16 and 24 minutes. That means kids will pivot from one toy to another with frequency, which underscores the need for ample storage. Storage should be built into the design of the space after measuring its dimensions. Avoid storage solutions that extend too high up the wall, as that’s hard for children to reach and might lead to accidents. Creative storage

solutions abound online, and parents are urged to exercise due diligence to find the safest, most effective units for their children and their space.

• Make it multi-generational. Free play is important for youngsters, but kids will want Mom or Dad and even older siblings nearby even when they’re playing on their own. So it makes sense to equip the space with areas that accommodate everyone in the household. A reading chair for adults and a ping pong table and arcade game for older kids can ensure everyone gets to have fun in the playroom.

Did you know?

Screen usage is a fact of modern life, and it’s an issue parents find themselves navigating on a daily basis. Though even especially young children use devices like tablets, the desire for screens may grow considerably once kids enter elementary school. Many schools now utilize tablets and laptops in the classroom. While studies have found screens can foster cognitive development in young children, the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry urges parents of school-aged children to limit activities that include screens. Excessive screen use can lead to a host of negative outcomes, including sleep disturbances, poor academic performance, obesity, and poor self-image and body issues, among other problems. The AACAP does not offer specific recommendations for school-aged kids regarding daily screen usage, but the organization notes children age five and younger should be limited to no more than one hour per day. A reasonable increase on that recommendation may not adversely affect school-aged kids, though parents are advised to encourage healthy screen habits and turn screens off 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime.

Cost-effective curb appeal boosters

One shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. However, that often is hard to do, particularly when it comes to homes. Curb appeal bears significant influence regarding how a property is perceived. A property that is neat and aesthetically appealing probably will be preferable to one that looks like the homeowners did not maintain it.

Boosting curb appeal is a common focus of sellers before listing a property. But what can those who don’t have big budgets for major overhauls do to improve their curb appeal? Plenty of projects can offer maximum output with minimal investment.

Refresh the front door

Painting the front door can add brightness and improve the look of a home’s entryway. Most exterior paint costs between $30 and $40

per gallon, so this is undeniably a budget-friendly improvement. If money allows, replacing the door altogether will generate bang for your buck.

Improve or add landscaping elements Landscaping should be designed to highlight the home’s best features. It should look symmetrical and feel manicured. If it’s not possible to plant new flowers or bushes, simply cleaning up debris and weeds, and trimming existing greenery can make it feel neater and more polished.

Clean up

Power-washing the siding, cement walkways and garage door can create instant impact. It’s amazing how much dirt and mildew can reduce the luster of a home. Cleaning off years of grime can be a fast and inexpensive refresh.

Reseal the driveway

Make sure the driveway is clean and tidy. If it has cracks or discoloration, filling in cracks and applying a new coat of sealer will make a big difference. Homeowners can hire someone to reseal the driveway or do the work on their own.

Add more lighting

Updating front porch lights and accent lights around the property will cast a more positive glow on a home, both literally and figuratively. Add a seating area

If space by the front door allows, add a bench or some chairs to create a welcoming seating area. A potted plant or two nearby will help the area seem intentional.

Improving curb appeal doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. A few easy touches can boost the look of any property.

Put some spring in your cleaning step

Spring is the season of nature’s rebirth. Trees and flowers begin to bloom anew each spring, and young animals can be seen frolicking with their parents. During a time when it seems like the entire planet gets a refresh, many homeowners turn their thoughts to refreshing their homes as well.

As the days lengthen and the weather warms, spring cleaning takes center stage. Spring cleaning is more extensive than simply washing away grime, as cleaning a home often offers a psychological reset for the coming months. A clear strategy can make the task of spring cleaning feel less daunting, and these tips can help cut down on clutter and other interior annoyances that have arisen after months spent indoors.

Declutter before cleaning

The rule of thumb when starting on spring cleaning is to combat clutter before cleaning. Trying to clean around clutter is inefficient and may result in throwing in the towel prematurely. It is important to remove as much as possible from each room before you begin cleaning. As homeowners move through each room, they can assess whether they’ve used items in the last year or whether they serve any functional or aesthetic purposes. If not, they can be trashed or donated.

Move top to bottom

It’s important to follow the rules of science when spring cleaning. That means that dust and debris will be affected by gravity. Engaging in a top-down approach will help make cleaning more efficient. Beginning at the ceiling and

working down towards the floors will help people avoid having to clean the same surface twice.

Using a duster or a microfiber cloth, individuals can clear cobwebs from corners and dust from crown molding. Fingerprints will accumulate near light switches and door handles, so those areas should be wiped down, too.

Homeowners can conduct a thorough cleaning of heating and cooling output and intake vents as they likely have gathered dust over the winter. A down of floor moldings can get to any area near the floor or under furniture that doesn’t get frequent cleaning.

Do a kitchen reset

Focusing attention on the kitchen, which tends to be the busiest room in the house, is a wise idea for spring cleaning plans. This is the time for individuals to pull everything out of the refrigerator and pantry and check for expiration dates. Wiping down the shelves means cleaning away any accumulated food drips or spills. Additional areas to consider include behind the refrigerator, inside the dishwasher filter and inside the microwave.

Focus on air quality

It’s key to replace the HVAC system filters come springtime, as well as any air purifiers in the home. This will help reduce allergens and ensure that the cooling system will run efficiently when it’s time to turn it on.

Spring cleaning takes place each year. Prioritizing decluttering and following a systematic path through the home helps people eliminate stress and mess at the same time.

Health benefits of pickleball

Pickleball has exploded in popularity in recent years. Devoted players may not realize it, but pickleball was created in 1965 as a backyard pastime by three dads: Joel Pritchard, Barney McCallum and Bill Bell. The Sports & Fitness Industry Association says around 19.8 million people played pickleball in 2024. It’s also the fastest-growing sport in the United States for the fourth consecutive year.

While pickleball can be fun and is generally considered to be less intense than tennis, the sport’s staying power also can be attributed to the significant health benefits it offers. The combination of social interaction, cognitive impact and aerobic exercise make pickleball a particularly beneficial activity. Here is a deep look at the many health benefits of pickleball.

• Helps heart health: The Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology has found that middle-aged and older adults who played pickleball

one hour per day, three days a week for six weeks saw significant improvements in blood pressure, cholesterol levels and cardiorespiratory fitness.

• Burns calories: Players can burn between 400 and 600 calories per hour playing pickleball, says the National Institutes of Health. Research shows that playing doubles pickleball results in 36 percent more calories burned than taking a leisurely walk. Also, pickleball doubles often match or exceed the calorie burn of tennis doubles because rallies tend to be longer with less down time.

• Lowers stress levels: The more people play, the better they feel from a mental perspective. The NIH reports a 2025 study of more than 1,700 players found that playing three or more times a week was linked to significantly higher mental well-being scores. This exercise can trigger endorphin release and lower cortisol levels.

• Boosts the brain: Pickleball stimulates cognitive function because the game features fast-paced strategy and requires thinking on your feet. Plus, the fast pace often induces a “flow state,” which is a mental zone where players are so focused they lose track of time, which helps to reduce anxiety.

• Combats loneliness: Pickleball is a social sport, with new centers and leagues popping up each year. That makes it easy for players to make new friends through the sport.

• Promotes physical agility: Pickleball can be a tool for maintaining independence through physical agility. Baptist Health says pickleball can help improve balance and stability in seniors. Because pickleball is a weight-bearing sport, it also helps strengthen bones and muscles.

Pickleball is all the rage and a great way for players to have fun and boost health in the process.

allergen free treats in Edmond No Cow Bakery-

By Rose Drebes

As gluten-free is a lifestyle for Rebecca and Dale Trujillo, it is joyful for them to share the fact that those with celiac disease and other food allergies can have their cake and eat it, too.

No Cow Bakery in Edmond’s Railyard is fashioned after a similar enterprise in Colorado, Dale said. The couple was living there and as Rebecca has celiac, they discovered the gluten-free, dairy-free haven that didn’t just meet dietary needs, but actually tasted amazing.

For Rebecca, finding something sweet she could enjoy without

The joy they derive from No Cow comes when people who haven’t had a cinnamon roll in 20 years or may have never tested a pretzel are able to give in to their sweet tooth.

“That’s when we know we are on to something,” Dale said.

Everything is made in house. And while one would think a bakery would be a place to pick up a scone in the morning, Dale said they offer a different kind of product -- more of a dessert.

“This isn’t just a bakery,” he said. “It’s a place for people who love food and want to feel good about eating it.”

compromise was rare. No Cow wasn’t just safe, it was joyful.

While the two have a licensure agreement, Dale said they each pretty much operate independently. Recipes were altered due to the altitude, however.

“We are a pretty niche business, gluten-free, dairy-free and nut-free,” he said. “There is a need for it.”

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“Most people come in and say they are getting (the baked goods) for dessert,” he said.

By the end of March, people can enjoy the opening of an expanded café menu at No Cow. While the bakery has tables for people to enjoy baked goods, the

establishment is venturing into more of a café atmosphere with soups and sandwiches, Dale said.

People frequent the No Cow Bakery who have a need, but he said people are now stopping by who simply want to eat better.

“Gluten is not good for us,” Dale said. “Everything we eat off the shelves is loaded with gluten.

“That’s why people who have aches and pains.”

“People are taking better care of themselves. No Cow customers include patrons of gyms and yoga studios,” he said.

People with celiac disease or other allergies could end up in the hospital or tragically, die, if they are exposed to gluten, dairy or nuts.

“We believe we are the only dedicated bakery in Oklahoma,” Dale said. “There is no chance of cross contamination.”

No Cow’s products taste great, too.

“You really don’t know the difference (between ours and gluten items),” Dale said.

“This isn’t just a bakery,” he said. “It’s a place for people who love food and want to feel good about eating it.”

For more information, visit the No Cow website at nocowbakeryandcafe.org.

Our Daily Staples

Every day, you can count on us for these delicious, freshly baked favorites. They’re all gluten-free and dairy-free and made with our commitment to incredible taste.

Cinnamon Rolls

Red Velvet Mini Cake

Strawberry Mini Cakes

Carrot Mini Cakes

Banana Bread

Monkey Bread

Chocolate Mini Cake

Pretzel Bites

Cake Pops

Cookies

Poppy Seed Muffins

Outdoor features raise home’s value

Outdoor living has become a coveted feature for many homeowners and those looking to buy. In 2026, landscape architecture has shifted from something that is purely ornamental to features that are functional and resilient. The American Society of Landscape Architects says a professionally designed landscape can increase a home’s value by anywhere from 15 to 20 percent. Some projects can yield a return on investment of even more — even recuperating the entire cost. Where is a homeowner to start when it comes to maximizing the potential of a landscape? These projects and components can be a good place to start.

• Natural stone patios: A high-quality patio can offer a great ROI. These

patios may use the same stone levels and lines as the interior of the home.

• Outdoor kitchens: HGTV says an outdoor kitchen ROI can range from 55 percent to 200 percent, depending on the location and comparable homes in the area. High-value versions include built-in grills, weather-resistant cabinetry, and stone prep areas.

• Climate-controlled pergolas: Pergolas on their own can add interest and function to outdoor spaces. Those that feature motorized louvers that adjust for sun and rain have become a luxury essential for many homeowners. They help extend the usability of outdoor spaces during various seasons.

• Smart lighting systems: Integrated systems with LED lights controlled

by apps are now major selling points for homes. These systems improve security and curb appeal at night. According to Urban Oasis Contracting, outdoor lighting doesn’t just show a space, but also transforms it. Adding carefully placed lights can redefine the property in distinct ways.

A Publication of Edmond Life & Leisure Page

• Softscaping improvements: Mature trees can add character to a property and also reduce cooling costs via natural shade. Landscapes that require low irrigation are outperforming traditional lawns, according to Organic Valley.

Homeowners looking to get great returns on outdoor living investments can consider prized improvements that transform exterior living spaces.

Tips to take care of wood flooring

Natural wood flooring is a stunning feature of millions of homes. Wood floors are appreciated for their durability and aesthetic appeal, each of which is bolstered when floors are properly maintained.

A host of variables can affect how long wood flooring lasts and how its appearance holds up over time. Wood flooring in homes with pets that roam around the house, such as cats and dogs, may require more frequent maintenance than those without pets. The same goes for homes with children, who may routinely track dirt in from outside or spill food and drinks with greater frequency than adults. But even wood flooring in homes without pets and children requires consistent maintenance. Homeowners who want to protect their wood floors and ensure they maintain their aesthetic appeal for the long haul can consider the following maintenance tips, courtesy of the National Wood Flooring Association. • Sweep, dust or mop each day. The NWFA recommends daily maintenance to remove dust and dirt that accumulates each day. Such cleaning can prevent damage that can compromise the aesthetic appeal of the

floors and potentially affect their longevity.

• Clean spills immediately. Spills are inevitable, especially in homes where young children live. Though spills might not be preventable, the damage they can cause can be avoided with a prompt response. Cleaning spills immediately with a dry or slightly damp cloth can ensure the floors do not soak up the spilled liquids.

The NWFA notes that mopping wood floors with a wet mop or steam mop will damage the finish and the wood over long periods of time. If allowed to soak into the floor, spilled liquid can contribute to warping, swelling and staining. Each of those issues can be costly to address, but a quick and immediate cleanup can prevent all three from happening.

• Vacuum once per week on the bare floor setting. Utilizing a vacuum is less taxing on wood floors than sweeping so long as the vacuum is on the bare floor setting. Sweeping is best avoided to prevent small particles from being dragged across the floor, which gradually wears down the finish and ultimately contributes to a dull look. Vacuuming vertically lifts the debris off the floor, ensuring

nothing is dragged along the surface of the floor. If you’re using a manual vacuum instead of a robotic vacuum, vacuum with the grain to reduce the risk of damage.

• Apply wood flooring cleaner once per month. If your wood floors are newly installed, ask your installer to recommend a cleaner specifically designed for the finish on your floor. If your floors are not new, contact a flooring professional for a recommendation. Wood flooring cleaners specific to a given floor’s finish are important because these products are specialized and formulated with both cleaning and protection of the floor itself in mind. The right wood floor cleaner won’t lead to dull-looking floors nor damage the finish.

• Recoat floors if they start to look dull. The NWFA notes that recoating with wood floor finish every three to five years can renew the appearance of natural wood flooring that might be starting to look a little dull.

Well-maintained wood floors add much to a home’s interiors. Some simple maintenance can ensure wood floors remain durable and aesthetically appealing for decades.