Highly recommended hardwood floor cleaner and maintenance tips

Hardwood Floors Maintenance Tips

Once your floors have been newly installed or refinished, there are a few things you can do to maximize their lifespan. We highly recommend using the Bona® Hardwood Floor Cleaning Kit.

Protect Your Hardwood Floor

• Do not use water on the newly finished floors for one week.
• Wait 48 hours before placing furniture and allowing pets on the floor.
• Before furniture is put in place, apply felt floor protector pads on the bottom of all furniture legs to prevent scratching.
• Place all rugs one month after the final coat of finish has been applied.
• Use a breathable rug pad under all rugs that do not have a breathable backing.
• Rugs or wipe off mats need to be placed at all entrances and wherever heavy traffic occurs.
• Keep pet’s nails trimmed and filed in order to minimize surface indentations and scratches.
• Stiletto heels and cleats have high-pressure points that may cause indentations in the finish and wood.
• Never drag any heavy furniture or appliances across a wood floor.

Have your wood floors screened and recoated when necessary. 

High traffic areas such as kitchens may need to be screened and coated after three to four years, while low traffic floors may last up to 20 years without being recoated. Have your floors recoated when you notice wear patterns. Recoating will not remove dents or deep scratches, or bring the color back to extremely worn areas. Recoating is a process of light sanding that abrades the surface and applying another coating of polyurethane. This process is designed to prolong the life of your existing finish—not repair damage to the flooring.

Daily Maintenance

Hardwood floors that are properly cared for can last a lifetime and are easy to maintain. Of course, there are a few things you should be aware of to keep your hardwood flooring in tip-top shape. Once you know the DO’s and DON’Ts of hardwood floor care, maintenance will be a breeze.

• Use the microfiber dusting pad to sweep regularly. Dirt and grit will damage a hardwood floor by scratching the surface. If you do not own a microfiber dusting pad, we recommend sweeping with a soft bristle broom or vacuuming with a soft brush attachment. DO NOT use steam cleaners on your hardwood floors. Any throw rugs or doormats must also be cleaned regularly, as the dirt from them may spread to your hardwoods.
• Don’t use ammonia cleaners, oil soaps, or any harsh cleaning agents such as Comet®, SOS® Pads, Mop &-Glo®, Murphy® Oil Soap, etc on your wood floors as they will dull the finish.
• Wipe up spills immediately with a slightly dampened towel.
• Wood and water don’t mix, so never wet mop a hardwood floor. Standing water can dull the finish, damage the wood, and leave a discoloring residue.
• Try to keep high heels and grit off the floor to prevent scratching. Never drag furniture or heavy objects across the floors; instead, use gliding furniture pads.
• Try to keep children from dropping anything heavy onto floors. If possible, use area rugs to protect your floors.
• Use window coverings to prevent the sun from bleaching a portion of your wood floors.
• Install floor mats at each entrance to prevent dirt and grit on wood floors.
• Place furniture pads under tables, on chair legs, and under the feet of dressers and armoires.
• Never wax a floor with urethane finish.

When you need hardwood floor services in New York City, call us right away!