Maintaning Your Hardwood Floors

Hardwood floors require very little to maintain. There are just a few basics that you have to remember. The vast majority of wood floors have a polyurethane finish. You should not use wax or oil on a polyurethane finish. Also, do not use any harsh abrasive cleaners, steel wool pads or any paint thinners because they will scratch the surface and leave it dull. Steam cleaning is also not recommended for hardwood floors. It’s best to use products you know are created strictly for hardwood floor care like Bona’s Hardwood Floor Care System.

Enemies of your Hardwood Floor Include

• Dirt & Grit-your floor will no doubt get dirt and grit on it carried in from outdoors on the bottoms of shoes. It’s unavoidable. These scratch-inducing mini-rocks act like sandpaper when walked on. It is important to sweep often with a soft bristle broom or even better, use a microfiber dusting pad which will capture even smaller particles than a broom. Don’t forget that throw rugs trap a lot of dirt and should be shaken out often as well. Always use rugs with natural backing not rubber.


• Spills-wipe up any spills you see immediately. If the liquid contains color or dyes, it could stain your floor if allowed to soak in. Soak it up and wipe again with a slightly dampened towel to get all of the residue.


• Water-plain old water is not a friend to your wood floor either. It can dull the finish, cause peeling, cloudiness and even warping. Never wet mop a wood floor. Use a cleaner made for hardwood floors and a soft cleaning pad.


• Humidity- excessive humidity in the summer months can cause your wood floors to swell and “cup”, which will compress the grain of the wood and possible cause the wood to crack. When the winter months come along, we recommend the use of a humidifier. This will minimize the shrinking of your floors.