How to clean Refinished hardwood floors

Refinished hardwood floors rejuvenate your living space, infusing it with the original timeless charm, warmth, and distinctive character. Once your floors have been restored and refinished, it is essential to properly maintain them to ensure longevity and continued beauty. This guide will delve into effective cleaning and maintenance practices to uphold the finish coatings and enduring allure of your refinished hardwood floors.

Protective Measures:

  • Use felt/ carpet floor protectors beneath furniture. Your floors will thank you. Keep in mind that these protectors do wear out over time, at some point you will need to replace them.
  • Consider placing area rugs over high traffic areas like hallways and stairs.
  • Use area rug underlayments. The rough backing of area rugs can scratch the finish of your refinished hardwood over time.
  • Make sure area rug underlayments are made with natural rubber. Though slightly more expensive than other underlayments, the investment pays dividends in protecting your hardwood and ensures that no strange chemicals come into contact with your hardwood finish. 
  • Use door mats/ walk off mats before entering your home. You may wear high heels, but make sure they are in good shape. Broken high heels will damage the floor.
  • Use window coverings or UV blocking film over windows. Excessive sunlight can discolor your floors throughout the years. Window coverings or UV film will mitigate this. 

Cleaning Tips: :

  • Stick with a cleaner specifically made for wood floors. This is the single most important piece of cleaning advice we can give. 
  • Vacuum with a floor brush attachment, use a soft bristle broom, or dust mop regularly. 
  • Keep door mats and walk off mats clean to prevent dirt from reaching the hardwood surface.
  • It is okay to spill water on hardwood floors, but clean it as quickly as possible. Promptly blot any spills with a clean absorbent cloth or a paper towel. 
  • Apply your hardwood floor cleaner with a microfiber or damp cloth.
  • For stubborn stains or harsh chemical spills, please Contact Us and we will guide you through the manufacturers cleaning guidelines to best find a solution. 
  • We recommend having your refinished hardwood floors professionally cleaned at least once per year – it really makes a difference!

Cleaning NO’s:

  • A common myth is to use vinegar and water to clean hardwood floors. Consider the myth busted; do not use vinegar on your refinished hardwood floors.  
  • Do NOT use the beater bar attachment on your vacuum cleaner.
  • Do NOT wet mop.
  • Do NOT let water sit on your floor for hours or days at a time. 
  • Do NOT use oil soaps on your refinished hardwood floors.
  • Do NOT use harsh cleaning chemicals (like bleach) on your refinished hardwood floors.
  • Do NOT use furniture polish or acrylic polishes.
  • Do NOT use window cleaner on your refinished hardwood floors.
  • Do NOT steam clean your refinished hardwood floors.
  • Do NOT excessively rub or scrub hardwood floors while cleaning. This could unintentionally spread any potential damage. 

At Warehouse Direct Flooring, we are committed to flooring excellence and believe in the importance of empowering our customers with the knowledge needed to care for their investment. We have an extensive product line of industry leading refinishing products that we stand behind. We are committed to finding the best product possible to fit our customers’ lifestyle. Not only are we your dedicated partner in restoring and refinishing hardwood floors, we are also here to guide you in preserving their beauty and durability.