A Flooring Experts Guide For Maintaining your Hardwood Floors

I get asked this question a lot, considering that most customers are spending their hard earned money having their floors re-done. By following these simple tasks, you can be assured that your floors will maintain their overall appearance. Plus, the bonus reward is the amount of money you will save the next time you want to do your floors again.

MY HARDWOOD FLOOR CARE GUIDE FOR POLYURETHANE FINISHES

After the final coat of finish has dried, it is a good idea to open your windows. The first week, we suggest “sock-only” feet, meaning try not to wear shoes on the freshly coated floor. When moving furniture in, sit it down, but do not slide.  Apply felt pad protectors to bottoms of all legs of furniture. Area Rugs may be placed on floors 30 days after the finishing is completed. If you plan on painting, Do Not put painters tape (or any kind of tape) on polyurethane floors.

•  Sweeping, vacuuming and dust mopping are essential to hardwood floor maintenance.

•  If you need to mop, use a sponge or rag mop with a small amount of water, then run a towel wrapped around a broom over the area mopped. It is acceptable to mix a little Windex or White Vinegar in your mop water. The solution mix is ¼ cup to 1-gallon water.

FLOORING PRODUCTS THAT MAY BE USED THAT I ALWAYS RECOMMEND:

• Poly Care
• Bona Spray Mop and Products
• Swiffer and Swiffer Wet Jet

PRODUCTS YOU SHOULD NEVER USE ON YOUR FLOORS:

•  Murphy’s Oil Soap

•  Paste Wax

•  Pledge, or any other wax or silicone-based products

•  Fantastic, Formula 409 or other solvent-containing cleaners

•  Pine-based cleaners (like Pine Sol)

•  Mop & Glo

•  Ammonia

DO NOT WAX OR SPRAY BUFF!

Waxes and polishes are not good for polyurethane varnish finish, and will cause problems with future re-coating. 

If you have a question about floors or you need other home improvement advice, email me at J.cimino@avistaflooring.com, and I'll use it as my topic for my next blog!

Joseph Cimino is the owner of Avista Flooring in Lynbrook. You can get more tips and advice at their website.