How To Clean Your Hardwood Floor

Maintaining & cleaning your new hardwood.

Once installed, your hardwood floor will look beautiful, but time, traffic, and everyday life, will
take their toll.

We want you to know all about hardwood maintenance, because the more you know, the better
you’ll be able to keep your floor looking new.

Regular and proper maintenance will insure it remains that way.

Rugs are your first line of defense.

Place walk off mats or area rugs at each entryway, to collect dirt and grit that could be tracked in.
These tiny particles act like sandpaper and will scratch your floor.

Also, keep in mind, some soles of shoes can pick up rocks or grit and will scratch the hardwood
when you walk on it.

Avoid using rubber-backed or non-ventilated mats or rugs as they can damage your floor. Instead
use mats or rugs made especially for hardwood floors and remember to shake them out regularly.

Place mats in any areas where water may be splashed, such as near a kitchen sink.

Cleaning tools.

Buy a good quality broom. Sweep your new floor regularly to pick up grains of dirt, dust and
other particles. If you use a vacuum, be sure it does not have a beater brush, as it can scratch the
floor.

A vacuum cleaner, without a beater bar, can be helpful in between planks and other hard to reach areas. Once dirt and grease are gone, buffing can help restore the luster of your hardwood floor.

Cleaning tips.

Cleaning techniques vary depending on the installation and finish of your hardwood floor.

For “Finish in Place” hardwood floors, we recommend using a terrycloth mop with a rotating
head. Lightly spray a professional wood floor cleaning product to safely remove tough stains
and spills, without dulling the finish of your floor.

Manufacturers of “Pre-finished” hardwood floors recommend their own specific products
designed for their floors routine maintenance. Be sure to check with us as well about these
cleaners.

All floors with a urethane finish should never be waxed. They require cleaners that won’t leave a
film or residue.

A hardwood floor cleaner is useful in removing occasional scuffs or heel marks. Simply spray
some cleaner on a cloth and lightly rub the stained area. Sticky spots can be cleaned with a damp
towel or sponge.

Do not use ammonia cleaners or oil soaps on a wood floor. They will dull the finish and may
affect the ability to recoat your floor later.

Never wet mop or use excessive water to clean your floor. Large amounts of water can cause
the wood to swell and may cause your floor to crack or splinter. Clean up spills as soon as they
happen.

What about deep cleaning?

Once dirt and grease are gone, buffing can help restore the luster of your hardwood floor.

If your floor is showing excessive wear beyond normal cleaning you may want to consider
screening and recoating.

Screening is the process used to lightly sand the polyurethane finish on the floor. Then, fresh
coats of urethane are applied. The screening and recoat process will rejuvenate and prolong the
life of your hardwood floor.

If the damage to the floor is severe and has gone through the stain, down to the bare wood, you
will need to sand and refinish the floor.

This should only be done if a screening and recoating will not solve the problem. This is
an extensive process where the floor is sanded down to the bare wood, re-stained and then
refinished.

If there is only damage in a small area, you may want to see if replacement boards are available
to alleviate having to refinish the entire area.

Always hire an experienced professional when having this kind of work done on your hardwood
floor.

Finally, protect against time, sun and traffic.

All hardwood floors will fade, darken or change shades over time. Exposure to sunlight will
greatly increase this process.

Window coverings, rotating area rugs and moving furniture regularly, is recommended to allow
floors to age evenly from UV exposure.

Cover furniture and table legs with protectors to guard your floor against damage. Take care
when moving heavy objects across your floor to avoid scuffing.

Stiletto heels can cause dents and scratches. Trim the nails or claws of your pets to avoid
scratches on the hardwood floor.