Fast
Facts >How To Clean My Wood Floors, Wood Floor Maintenance and Care Guide:
Wood Floors are a lifetime
investment, and decisions concerning them should not be taken
lightly
Routine maintenance should include protecting the surface finish from moisture and heavy
wear which creates scratches. This maintenance requires more than sweeping and vacuuming.
Always clean your wood floors periodically with a professional
wood floor cleaning product recommended by a wood flooring
professional and/or the manufacturer of your particular
hardwood floor product. Not doing so may void any warranty or
guarantee on the product.
Consumer
Expectations:
Wood floors are NOT
impervious to the day to day grit, food, spills, and water
Preventive maintenance like area
rugs, floor protectors (on ALL furniture on your wood
floors), and routine maintenance with proper hardwood floor
cleaner should always be exercised (improper products can
contribute to additional wear, may VOID your warranty, and
cause failure when recoating.
Do: Place Protector pads on ALL furniture legs on wood floor
Do:
Place walk off mats and area
rugs in high traffic areas (make sure they stay dry and are
cleaned underneath often)
Do: Perform routine maintenance as
recommended by manufacturer, this should include sweeping,
vacuuming (with a soft brush attachment) and/or dust mopping to remove dirt and grit. Keep
this as a regularly scheduled event, and stick to it. Always
perform this process before and after a major event that
involves a high volume of traffic on the floor.
Do: Use the proper cleaning pad with the manufacturer
recommended cleaning solution. The pad should be slightly damp
and well rung out. Make sure ALWAYS to use a clean pad/cloth
each time your start the cleaning process. These pads can be
washed after excessive buildup.
Do: Keep high heel shoes in good
repairs , as well as keeping your pets nails trimmed on a
regular bases
Do
Not:
Use WET
mops
Do Not: Use ammonia
Do Not: Use dust cleaners
Do Not: Track dirt, clean
immediately
Do Not: Use other floor cleaning
products
Do Not: Wax a urethane finish-
NEVER
!
Three simple
steps:
1. Vacuum
2. Spray the proper cleaning solution 3.
Clean with proper mop
Follow of
complete program of proper maintenance procedures (see above)
Always follow
and use manufacturers suggest products and procedures, if
product manufacturer is unknown, use GENERIC HARDWOOD
FLOOR CLEANER available at local wood floor retail outlets
Warranties by
most manufacturers are VOIDED if oil soap and products
containing wax cleaners are used
Wipe and clean
immediately all spills, and dirt tracking. Stubborn stains
should be cleaned with proper cleaning solution as
recommended by manufacturer, using a soft dampened cloth.
For stubborn stains repeat using wood floor cleaner &
soft cloth
NEVER use a wax
or wax based products over surface finishes. NOTE:
This can be a VERY DANGEROUS !
If finish losses
it's luster, screening (light sanding) and recoating may be
necessary . This should be done ONLY by a professional wood
floor contractor (See details below)
Wax
Finish
Always
immediately wipe spills with a soft dry cloth, buffing may
be necessary
White
spots from water can be rubbed out with a fine steel wood
and a small amount of mineral spirits, re-wax and buff as
needed to match
Buffing
areas of heavy traffic will return luster, if not re-waxing
may need to occur for that area, with buffing the blend
Cleaners,
and manufacturers conditioners can be used over waxed
floors, always paying careful attention to manufactures
directions and procedures
NEVER use a wax
finish over surface finishes.
This can be a VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION
NOTE:
Wood floors that have been waxed over and over through the
years, may be a serious concern if refinishing (to bare wood).
Surface finishes may not and more than most, will NOT adhere
properly (a sure sign is prolonged drying time), and/or if it
does adhere , failure is almost certain as wear will become
excessive early on.
Purchase & Shop ALL
Types of Wood Floor Care & Maintenance Products