Hardwood Flooring - Care and Maintenance

Cleaning products for Tile or Vinyl floors, can they be used on wood floors?

Never use care products for tile or vinyl floors on wood floors. Self-polishing acrylic waxes should also never be used on wood flooring as well. The waxes cause the wood flooring to become dull and slippery, and this in turn causes you to sand and refinish the floor.

Can a damp mop be used on wood flooring?

Follow the manufacturer's recommendations when cleaning a surface-finished floor. A waxed floor should never be damp mopped. A dampened (near dry) mop generally can be used to maintain a wood floor, but excessive moisture will cause damage. Standing water can leave a discoloring residue, damage the wood and also dull the finish. Immediately wipe up any liquid spills from the wood floor.

What are ways to prevent scratches to the hardwood flooring?

Vacuum/dust the wood floor regularly. Placing throw rugs and mats at entryways will help protect the wood floor from dirt, grit and sand. Also put felt pads under all furniture legs.

How do you maintain polyurethane or other surface finishes?

Simple care is all that is required to surface finishes and polyurethane. Vacuum, dustmop or sweep the flooring regularly. Follow the manufacturer's cleaning recommendations. If cleaning the surface no longer restores the shine to the floor, recoat it with a surface finish. Depending on the amount of traffic across the surface of the floor will be the determining factor on the frequency of recoating the flooring surface.

How do you maintain wax or penetrating-stain finishes?

Follow the manufacturer's cleaning recommendations for your flooring. Vacuum or dustmop regularly, and a buffer can be used to maintain shine. Rewax the floors in the event that buffing no longer restores the shine. Apply a cleaner and a liquid wax that is made specifically for the wood floor. When applying the wax, spead it evenly, allow the floor to dry and then buff it back to the luster you desire. A properly maintained wood floor will need a waxing about once or twice a year, depending on the traffic across its surface. Refrain from over-waxing the wood floor. Try to buff the floor first if it gets dull. To avoid wax buildup on low traffic areas and under furniture, apply the wax in those areas half as often.

With a discolored or soiled wax finish, how is the best way to clean that?

A combination liquid cleaner/wax made specifically for wood flooring can be used if the finish has dirt buildup, or if the wax finish becomes discolored. A solvent is better, rather that a water-based product. With a coth or a fine steel wool, spread the liquid cleaner/wax, and gently rub to remove old wax and grime. Wipe the floor clean, and after waiting 20 minutes for it to dry, then you may buff the floor.