How to Clean Hardwood Floors – WATER ONLY
Never use soap (which can leave a residue) or ammonia-based cleaners in the water. Periodically, you may “tack-rag” (a cloth wrapped around a push broom) or wipe your floor with a thoroughly wrung out cloth that has been dipped in water only. For more thorough clean-up, wipe the area with a damp wrung out cloth that has been dipped into a gallon of water with l/2 cup of white vinegar added. Dry area off afterwards. Do NOT use: Oil Soaps, Wax, Future, Mop-n-Glo, Vinyl floor wax, Pine Sol, or other household cleaners!
Summary
Protect hardwood’s elegance with proper care and cleaning. Wrung out cloth dipped in water only.
Never pour water directly on the floor
…or allow water to lie directly on the surface of the floor as this can cause the wood to swell or buckle.
Summary
Dip the mop in bucket and wring out over bucket then touch mop to floor.
Water application
Excessive amounts of water and wood don’t mix. Wood is a natural material that swells when it absorbs water and shrinks when it dries out. And even though polyurethane and Swedish finishes are more resistant to water, there are seams where boards are put together. Wipe up liquid spills before they soak down into these seams. Never pour water directly on the floor or allow water to lie directly on the surface of the floor. Be extra careful with waxed wood finishes. Water can dull your finish, spot the waxed surface and soak into the wood. We don’t recommend a wax finish for a kitchen or other areas where liquid spills are frequent.
Summary
Small amounts of water
Endust
Do not spray Endust on your dust mop or directly onto your floor. This tends to leave an oily residue, which can make your floors very slippery; it will also prevent us from screening and recoating your floors in the future because the polyurethane will not stick to any oily substance. Vacuum floors with a brush attachment daily or weekly, depending upon traffic. Dry mop floors with a soft cotton cloth.
Summary
Only to dust mop.
Spills
Spills should be wiped up promptly before they become sticky or hard. Wipe up all spills or spots with a damp, well wrung out cloth. Dry off afterwards.
Summary
To prevent sticky or hard spots
How to regain luster to floors
An occasional buffing with a soft pad or cotton cloth can help restore the luster. Check for traffic patterns in high usage areas. Before finish is worn to raw wood, have floors re-coated.
Summary
Never Wax Finished Floors