Hardwood floor cleaning and maintenance steps.
Clean wood floors before polyurethane.
Because different floor finishes have unique care requirements the best way to clean hardwood floors will depend on the type of finish rather than the wood species e g cherry maple oak.
To protect the flooring a clear polyurethane coating is often added to seal the flooring.
Hardwood floor refinishing can help you get rid of those unsightly scratches and marks.
All polyurethane finishes are water resistant but flooring professionals advise using water sparingly if at all for cleaning.
Those from the factory and those applied on site.
Saturate a sponge or rag mop in the water then wring it almost dry so it feels only slightly damp to the touch.
Polyurethane finished wood floors are more durable than the wax coatings of the past.
In most households wood floors should be cleaned at least four to six times a year.
Floor installer michael dittmer who lives outside chicago dispatches a robot vac daily to keep an eye on his entire first floor.
This reduces wear and tear and also adds a protective barrier that prevents water and moisture from seeping into the wood.
Sand your wood with at least 220 grit sandpaper.
The former is usually the more durable of the two.
But as long as the damage is shallow in the coating and not in the wood itself you can renew the hardwood floor by adding a new coat of polyurethane right over the old finish.
Finding the right gear.
You should wear rubber gloves and goggles to protect your hands and your eyes.
The first step to cleaning with tsp is just that.
Here s how to properly clean your wood floors with tsp.
Still be sure to test out the polish in a small hidden or inconspicuous location on the wood before tackling the entire floor.
For how to deep clean hardwood floors consider doing this cleaning in the spring or just before the winter holidays use a wood floor mop and wood floor cleaning product diluted according to the label instructions.
This how to refinish wood floors article will show you how to do just that.
Clear and clean your wood floors of dust and dirt.
As with all wood finishes good results depend on smooth clean wood surfaces but this goes double with clear finishes such as polyurethane.
Clean wood floors with vinegar before applying the polyurethane.
Cover nearby flooring as well as tile or laminate since tsp can react adversely to other floor types.
However you still need to take special care when cleaning this type of floor as you can damage the floor or the coating if you re not careful.