Easy Hardwood Floor Care

 Surface Finishes

General Cleaning

Always use your manufacturer’s recommended cleaning products.  If the manufacturer is not known, use a generic hardwood floor cleaner, available at your local retail flooring store.  Never wax a surface finish!
 

Sticky Spills

Wipe up spills immediately with a lightly dampened cloth.  Follow with manufacturer’s or generic hardwood floor cleaner.
 

Stubborn Stains

Lightly dampen a soft cloth with manufacturer’s recommended cleaner, or a generic hardwood floor cleaner.  Apply directly to stain.  Repeat procedure as necessary.  Do not use petroleum based cleaners on water base finishes.
 

Dull Finish

When the floor loses its luster, it’s time to recoat.  Consult an National Wood Flooring Association flooring professional.

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Acrylic Impregnated Floors

General Cleaning

For general cleaning non-urethane coated acrylic impregnated floors, a spray and buff system is required by the manufacturer.  Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations and use their products when possible.
 

Urethane Coated

Some acrylic impregnated floors are coated with urethane.  For general cleaning of these types of floors, follow cleaning procedures for surface finishes.
 

Sticky Spills

Wipe up spills immediately.  Then clean with manufacturer’s recommended product and hand buff to luster.

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 Wax Finishes

General Cleaning

Dry mop with untreated dust mop.  Vacuum, sweep, or dust mop as needed to remove grit from floor.
 

Sticky Spills

Wipe up spills immediately with dry or slightly damp cloth.  Then clean area with manufacturer’s recommended cleaner or odorless mineral spirits.  This may dull the area, so buffing may be required.
 

White Spots

To remove white spots caused by water spills, use a fine steel wool (#000) and a small amount of mineral spirits.  Rub gently in a circular motion until spot is gone.  Then rewax area and buff.
 

Traffic Area

When the floor loses its luster in heavy traffic areas, rewax only those areas and buff.
 

Dull Finish

Floors should be cleaned, stripped, and rewaxed once or twice each year depending on traffic.

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Preventative Maintenance For All Finishes

Floor protector pads on the bottoms of furniture will help preserve the life of your finish.

Scatter rugs at all entrances to help trap grit from shoes before it scratches your floor.

Sweep, vacuum, or dust mop your floor and rugs often to remove dirt and grit.

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