If you have thought about changing your flooring and have decided on hardwood flooring
then you have made a great choice, but your hardwood floors will need to be maintained. Hardwood flooring is made from mature trees, and is treated when it is finished. But hardwood will absorb moisture and also scratch if something is dragged across it.
Leaving a puddle of water in your hardwood floors would not be a great idea. The moisture will go into the cracks in between the slates and they will swell as they absorb the water. If this happens in even a little spot it will still be noticeable. If there happens to be any liquid at all spilt on the hardwood floor you need to clean it up immediately. Use a damp mop only when you clean your hardwood floors. You may want to use a floor cleaner for hardwood. Whatever you choose you must use only a damp mop.
Another thing that can happen to hardwood floors are dents and scratches. High heels are torture to hardwood floors. Over a long perios of time furniture legs cause dents and scratches also. It might be an idea to add some area rugs under your furniture or there are also felts available that go directly under the furniture legs. You may also choose to add area rugs to any areas that are highly traveled in your house.
There are some people that feel that the scratches and the dents give their hardwood floors character. But when you feel that you are in fact sick of them you can get your hardwood flooring refinished. If you have your hardwood floors refinished every decade or so and keep on top of protecting your hardwood floors, they will look the best. Everything you do from moving furniture to allowing your dog to roam in the house will affect your hardwood floors.