Cleaning your new hardwood floors with the wrong products or not cleaning them properly can lead to premature aging and even damage to the floors. Understanding what kind of finish your floors have, how often to clean them, and what to clean them with can make a big difference in their appearance. We’re here to help you learn how to keep your floors flawless for years!
The first step in cleaning hardwood floors is to identify the type of finish on your floors. There are generally three types of finishes: oil–based, water–based, and polyurethane. Once you have identified the type of finish on your floor, you can begin to clean it using the appropriate method.
If your floor has an oil–based finish, use a wood cleaner or mineral spirits to clean it. If your floor has a water–based finish, use a wood cleaner or ammonia (in a weak solution) to clean it. Do not use any cleaners that contain waxes or polishes on floors with a water–based finish, as this will cause the floor to become cloudy and sticky. If your floor has a polyurethane finish, use only products specifically designed for polyurethane finishes; do not use any other kind of product or you may damage the surface of the flooring.
Once you have identified the type of finish on your hardwood floors and selected an appropriate cleaner for that type of finish, follow these general steps for cleaning hardwood floors:
Sweep or vacuum regularly to remove dust and dirt from the surface of the floors; this will help keep them looking their best In addition to sweeping or vacuuming regularly, use a dust mop to clean areas of the floor that are not easily accessible with a broom or vacuum cleaner. If your floors are extremely dirty, you may need to use a wet mop to clean them. Mop in the direction of the wood grain using warm water and a mild detergent or wood floor cleaner. Be sure not to get the floor too wet, as this can cause damage; if you‘re unsure about how wet is too wet, test an inconspicuous area first. Allow the floors to air dry completely before walking on them
In addition to following these general steps for cleaning hardwood floors, there are also some specific tips that should be followed for cleaning different types of hardwood floors:
For unfinished hardwood floors, use only a damp cloth or mop; do not use any type of cleaners (including water) on these types of floors For oil–based finished hardwood floors, wait until they have completely dried after mopping before applying any type of polish or sealant For water–based finished hardwood floors, do not apply any polish or sealant; these types of finishes should be maintained by regularly sweeping and dust mopping
Following these tips will help keep your hardwood floors looking their best and will help extend the life of your flooring. If you have any questions, visit our FAQs page or contact the experts at New Floors USA for financing. You can give us a call at 800-850-8183 or complete an inquiry form. We are Washington state‘s source for expertly installed floors designed to last a lifetime!
