Floor Care
How to clean and preserve your hardwood flooring
| Dust Mopping to Remove Dirt |
Sweeping and vacuuming will remove most dirt, but not all. A good quality dust mop is the most effective tool for removing the finer particles of dust and grit that will grind off finish.
To keep your floor looking its best, dust mop once a week minimum. Dust more often depending on the amount of dirt carried into the house and the number of people living in the house.
A good rule of thumb is once a week for the house and then add once a week for each child and large pet in the house.
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| Damp Mopping Spills and Heavy Dirt |
Spills and tracked-in dirt can be cleaned by lightly damp mopping the floor. Recommended cleaners are "Swiffer Dry," and "Swiffer Wet" (do not use the "Swiffer Wet Jet," it releases too much water which can damage your hardwood flooring).
Do not let the cleaning solution remain on the floor. Use a clean towel and dry the floor. Even though the cleaners will not harm the finish, water can soak between the boards and cause damage to the wood. Rinsing should not be necessary.
Be careful to use only a damp mop, not wet, as excess water will damage the floor. Note: Oil soaps, liquid ammonia, and vinegar are not to be used on floor finish.
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| Do Not Wax or Polish |
Do not wax or polish. If you anticipate the need for a fresh coat of finish in a few years, do not wax or polish your floor. The films left by waxes and polishes cannot be coated over. Consult one of our specialists at Richard Walczak Flooring, Inc. if you have questions about waxes or polishes. Note: Oil soaps are not to be used for the same reason.
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Floor use:
Under normal drying conditions, furniture can be returned to rooms within 24-36 hours after floor has been refinished. Do not slide anything across the floor; bring it in and set it down. 90% of the curing process of newly applied finishes takes place in 24 - 36 hours. Final, complete cure requires three to four weeks. Good air circulation can improve cure time. After finish has cured, you may place throw rugs in front of heavy wear areas, such as doors or sinks. Chairs and any other furniture that is moved frequently should have
wool felt pads under the legs to prevent scratching and wear. If area rugs are used, wait until floor is completely cured and move them occasionally to avoid uneven appearance as your wood floors age (develop "patina"). Use drapes where possible to minimize direct sunlight to the wood floors. Wood can be effected by direct sunlight the same as carpet or fabrics.
- Allow finish to cure 2 wks. Before using area rugs
- Use protective wool felt pads on chair legs and furniture
- Periodic buff & coat approx. 3-7 years
- Buff & recoat
- Use a humidifier throughout the winter months to keep wood movement and shrinkage to a minimum
Maintenance:
By following easy steps, you can enjoy the beauty and warmth of your flooring for a lifetime. Proper Care and maintenance will preserve the luster of the floor’s finish, plus help the topcoat protect the wood beneath. If floors are not kept clean, dirt underfoot provides extra abrasive action to normal floor traffic that can scratch and mar the floor.
General cleaning of your wood floors is recommended once every 1-2 weeks. Floors subjected to heavy traffic should be cleaned on a more frequent basis.
Always vacuum or sweep the floor to remove dirt and grit prior to cleaning your wood floors with the
Squeaky Floor Cleaner.
Refinishing and Recoating Tips
Proper care and maintenance can extend the life span of your wood floor finish for many years. However at some time in the life span of your wood floors a re-coat or total refinishing will be required. Re-coating prior to total failure of the floor finish will reduce the need for a complete re-sanding and refinishing. BonaKemi has been providing professional wood flooring contractors with premium quality, highly durable wood floor finishes for over 75 years. We recommend when it’s time to recoat or refinish you first get the expert advice of a professional.
Important Tips:
- Your finish needs to cure. Do not place rugs on your floors for two weeks depending on the type of finish used.
- Sand, dirt or grit can act like sandpaper and actually abrade and dull the floor finish. So try not to let them build up.
- Excessive amounts of water can cause your wood floor to swell and cup or cause the cracks to turn gray Therefore, avoid damp mopping a wood floor.
- All spills should be wiped up immediately. Use a damp cloth to clean up sticky messes before they set.
- Sand or pebbles on the bottom of shoes will scratch your floor. Therefore, mats or rugs should be used around entry doors, at the ends of steps and at high traffic pivot points. Another good idea is to place mats in areas where frequent water spills occur i.e. sinks, freezers, dishwashers, etc. Remove wet mats immediately Avoid rubber-backed or non-ventilated rugs that may oxidize on the floor and discolor the wood.
- To prevent scratching your hardwood floors use floor protectors on chairs and other furniture with wool felt pads.
- To prevent water stains, plants should be placed in a waterproof container.
- Many cleaners are available; however they may not be effective cleaners. They may dull your finish or make it more difficult for the floor to be recoated property. You should not clean the floor with soap products, wax, furniture polishes, plain water, vinegar, ammonia or pine cleaners. Your floor may not be re-coatable unless SafeCare™ products are used! Please check with your flooring professionals before using any cleaning products.
- Large pets have nails which may make it difficult for them to stop on wood floors. The scratches caused by their nails may be hard to remove, so keep pets claws trimmed to avoid excessive scratches and gouges. Urine of any kind is an acid and will leave a permanent stain. Wipe up immediately.
- Avoid walking on wood floors in high heels, as they can severely damage wood floors. Keep heels in good repair.
- Maintain the relative humidity in your home between 45% and 55% because excessive humidity can cause wood fibers to swell, creating cracks in the finish.
- Think about re-coating the floor as soon as it begins to show wear. If you wait too long the floor may require a complete sanding to restore its’ beauty. However a light buffing and a re-coat may be all that is required for light wear. Your flooring professional can give you further advice.