HARDWOOD FLOOR CARE & CLEANING

How to Clean A Hardwood Floor

2 to 3 Times per Week: Dry mop, dry Swiffer or vacuum. The more that dirt and grit are allowed to accumulate, the more they will be tracked over the floor leaving scratches. Clean floors before and after major events.

1 to 2 Times per Month for high traffic areas or 1 Time Every 3 Months for low traffic areas: Vacuum area first. Mix up cleaning solution in bucket. Fill canister on spray mop. Have a dry mop on hand if you are going to dry the floor as you go to speed up the process.

Mop floor going with the grain of the wood. Do the section farthest away from your exit doorway first. Continue to spray mop and dry in sections as you work your way out of the room. Do not walk on the floor while wet.

Too much water is wood's worst enemy. Be careful not to get them too wet.

What NOT to Use

The following cleaning products will cause damage to your wood floors:

• Steam Mops: No matter what you have seen on TV, these are bad for hardwood floors.
• Ammonia: Like pet urine, this will make the wood black and will cause stains that will not sand out.
• Orange Glo: This product will build up a hazy finish because it contains wax.
• Murphy's Oil Soap: Good for cabinets and furniture, but not floors. Most manufacturers will void any type of warranty when this product is used.
• Pledge or Endust: These products contain wax and will make your floors dangerously slippery.

Do not try to bleach any pet stains - they will turn pink. Pet stains may lighten with sanding, but not disappear. Sanding takes 1/16" to 1/8" off the top but stains are usually deeper than this. Board replacement is usually the fix.

Other Helpful Tips

• Use area rugs and floor mats at entrance and high traffic areas. Also, in front of sinks, stoves or refrigerators where water may accumulate.
• Rug backing should be a natural fiber. Rubber backed mats or pads will negatively affect the finish over time as they dry out and get brittle. If you use them, replace them every few years with new pliable pads.
• Use felt floor protectors on the bottom of anything that moves on your wood floors - mostly chairs and stools. Replace them as they wear or fall off. Super Glue is a good adhesive.
• Keep pets' nails trimmed and put throw rugs where they jump around (usually when someone rings the doorbell at my house!).
• Keep shoes in good repair.
• Wipe up spills as they occur.
• Do not keep water dishes for pets directly on the wood floor.
• Keep temperature and humidity within normal living conditions. Extremes of either will cause cupping or buckling.

What You Need

Dry Swiffer or Dust Mop

Vacuum with a bristle brush end (no rotating beater bar)

Bucket