Solid Hardwood, Engineered and Laminate Flooring - cleaning wood floor
Doityourself.com community forum was created to provide answers to all questions related to home improvement and home repair. Doityourself community can help you find information about how-to topics on small fixes to large remodeling projects. With comprehensive how-to content and expertly moderated community forums DoItYourself.com makes it easy to tackle even the most complex home improvement projects.View Full Version : cleaning wood floor
gogogirl
07-16-03, 08:46 AM
hi all! my husband made and installed our hardwood[oak] floor. it's beatiful!! how do i clean it? it has two coats of verithene? on it. it just doesnt look as good now as it did when it was first done,five weeks ago. it has a satin finish. any input would be great! thank you!!
Locy's Hardwood
07-16-03, 06:46 PM
What have you been cleaning it with till now? When was the first time you cleaned it?
Phil
Phil
gogogirl
07-18-03, 12:26 PM
hi. at first i just mopped it with a damp mop. then someone told me i could use my swiffer cleaner. i just started using that, and i'm not using that anymore. the floor sealer had been on for about a month before i ever used anything other then a broom on it. i tried a pledge orange wipe on a small section and that turned out great,but that area is slippery now! ugh! i think we need another few coats of sealer on it. any input you may have would be great! thanks!
twelvepole
07-18-03, 10:43 PM
Contact the manufacturer of your floor finish for recommended cleaning and maintenance. If you purchase a wood floor cleaner, make sure the label specifically states safe for polyurethane finish. Avoid use of products that contain wax or oil and products that claim to be safe for all floors. Never wax a poly finish floor. Citrus cleaners contain citrus oil. Do not use products that are not recommended for poly finish. Waxes, oils, and silicone can soften and dull finish over time.
Don't overdo it with the mopping. Run dust mop frequently in high traffic areas. Avoid the use of treated mops. If you vacuum, use brush attachment. Avoid beater bar vacuums. Damp mop only occasionally with a mop squeezed nearly dry. Do a section at a time and throw down an old towel and rub back and forth with foot to dry, prevent streaking, and remove any residues. You can use 1/2 cup white vinegar in 1 gallon of water.
The biggest enemy to wood floor finish is grit. Keep clean mats inside and outside doors and rugs in high traffic areas. High traffic areas will need to be dust mopped most frequently.
Don't overdo it with the mopping. Run dust mop frequently in high traffic areas. Avoid the use of treated mops. If you vacuum, use brush attachment. Avoid beater bar vacuums. Damp mop only occasionally with a mop squeezed nearly dry. Do a section at a time and throw down an old towel and rub back and forth with foot to dry, prevent streaking, and remove any residues. You can use 1/2 cup white vinegar in 1 gallon of water.
The biggest enemy to wood floor finish is grit. Keep clean mats inside and outside doors and rugs in high traffic areas. High traffic areas will need to be dust mopped most frequently.