Make Your Hardwood Floors Shine


You have just installed hardwood flooring in your home. Now what? How do you keep your hardwood floors clean and shiny? Read the following Q&A in which two hardwood floor owners are asking just that.

Q: "I was reading your site and saw that one should not use oil based cleaners. Why? Our installer told us to use vinegar in water, and use a damp cloth to clean the floor about once a week. Will this damage the floor? What is a polyurethane cleaner? Where do you buy it?"

A: If an oil based cleaner is used on polyurethane finished floors, it leaves an oily residue on the surface which can not only make cleaning the floor more difficult, but after a period of time, when the floor is showing signs of wear and needs to be buffed and recoated, this residue can present adhesion problems. When cleaning any hardwood floor, or furniture, minimal water should be used. In other words, wipe with a dampened, not wet cloth. Adding a capful of vinegar can help and is suggested by the National Wood Flooring Association.

However, I have heard one floor finish manufacturer dispute this, believing the vinegar is too acidic and can break down the finish eventually. The absolutely simple and safe way to clean any sort of wood that is finished with a urethane is to use polyurethane cleaners which are manufactured by both hardwood flooring manufacturers and manufacturers of polyurethane. I use Squeeky Cleaner from Basic Coatings. Any hardwood flooring supplier near you should carry this or similar product. Also, Home Depot is a likely place to look, since they do sell hardwood flooring. This cleaner is usually blue in color, and is mixed 4 parts water to one part cleaner in a spray bottle. Mist some on a cloth and wipe. You can use this to clean any wood finished with urethane top coats.

Q: "We bought a beautiful old home with wonderful wood floors throughout which were installed in 93. They looked pretty good when we moved in two years ago, but now they look dull and mottled. Our cleaning person uses ****** for floors and some floor dusting cloth called ********. Could they be the problem? What can we use to get the shine back?"

A: There are any number of cleaners on the market, found in supermarket that say they are for hardwood floors. Your safest approach is to purchase a cleaner created by hardwood flooring manufacturers or floor finish manufacturers. This can be purchased (these products, as far as I am aware, are all basically the same) from local hardwood flooring retailers or a big box store that sells hardwood flooring. Best bet is the Hardwood retailer who specializes in hardwood. I use "squeaky cleaner" manufactured by Basic Coatings. See their web site: www.basiccoatings.com.

Mirage cleaner is another one.

It sounds likely that the cleaners being used on your floors are leaving some sort of film on the wood surface. This can create the situation you are describing and can make buffing and recoating in the future impossible to achieve due to adhesion issues.

To sum it up, your best bet to make your floors shine is to purchase a cleaner created by hardwood flooring manufacturers or floor finish manufacturers.

About The Author

Craig Mouldey is the owner of http://www.FaceLiftFloors.com. He has been in the flooring business for over two decades. You can find more flooring Q&A at http://www.FaceLiftFloors.com; webmaster@faceliftfloors.com

MORE RESOURCES:
RELATED ARTICLES
New Tax Breaks for Energy Efficient Home Improvements
If you would like to make your existing home more energy efficient and get some help paying for the improvements, you need to know about the Energy Tax Incentives Act of 2005. The new law provides a $500 lifetime credit against your federal income tax for the cost of certain energy-saving home improvements that you make to your home after December 31, 2005 and before January 1, 2008.
A Guide to Commercial Steel Buildings
Commercial steel buildings are prefabricated and custom-designed for use as offices, stores, distribution centers, freight terminals, service stations, aircraft hangers, commercial garages and more. Since they can be molded into a range of shapes and sizes, steel buildings are finding applications in most any industry imaginable.
Deck Decorating
On my blog, I once wrote about life on the Veranda - a favorite Southern, summer pastime.Picture a Charleston side-porch house, facing the obligatory magnolia tree, refreshing gin and tonics or the standard mint julep.
Shopping For Carpet
The allure of carpet lays not only its soft and luxurious texture, but also in its ability to enhance and match any décor. It is suited to both formal and casual environments, while offering a palette of colors that cannot be found in any other flooring material.
Waterproofing Basement Walls
Although representatives from waterproofing companies may guarantee results from their product or service, it is wise to keep in mind that there is no magic solution to waterproofing basement walls. In order to save costs on unneeded repairs, it is the responsibility of the homeowner to find the cause of the leak.
10 Things To Consider Before Planning And Installing A New Bathroom
Whether you want to install a new bathroom or make improvements to an existing one there are some decisions you need to make and challenges to overcome. A bathroom must be tailored to your requirements and every plan will vary depending on the planner's needs.
Wood Panels and Humidity
Coping with wood movementAll wood workers need to be aware of wood movement when building furniture projects. Failure to consider this important factor can cause wood panels to crack or split.
Window Dressing from the Outside Looking In
Window coverings are important to the overall look and feel of a room, of course, but when designing window treatments, don't forget to take into consideration what your overall design will look like from the outside of your home.As a general rule, window coverings should all be of a similar coloring, which will significantly improve the look of your home's exterior.
A Guide to Home Dehumidifiers
It can be difficult to choose from among the countless home dehumidifiers out there. First, determine the square footage of the largest room you plan to dehumidify.
Get Rid Of Air Pollution In Your Home With House Plants
Do you know that formaldehyde, a colorless, pungent-smelling gas can cause severe health effects to us? Sources of formaldehyde are:- environmental tobacco smoke and combustion sources (burning wood, kerosene and by automobiles) preservatives in some paints, cosmetics and coating finish used to coat paper products pressed wood products and furniture made with these pressed wood products certain insulation materials such as urea-formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI) and fiberglass insulation durable press drapes, other textiles, and glues. Wow! Looking at the list, there must be plenty of formaldehyde in our homes! The scary part is formaldehyde can cause watery eyes, burning sensations in the eyes and throat, nausea, and difficulty in breathing when exposed at elevated levels.
Outdoor Kitchens - Simple and Sophisticated
After September 11, many of us decided to stay closer to home. We are electing to remodel our existing homes instead of buying new and moving.
What You Should Know About Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring imitates the aspect of traditional wood. Their biggest advantage is that they are very easy to install and very durable.
Useful Home Products Will Help Your House Sale Profits
Even if you've never been involved in the sale of house before and yours is about to go on the market, you probably know enough about the process to be able to repeat, like a litany:  clean it; paint it; fix it.  But do you find yourself asking:  How clean does the house have to be and how do I tackle the job?  Do I really have to paint?  What are the best colors to choose?   What do I need to repair? When considering these questions, it's good to remember that most prospective home buyers are an unimaginative lot.
10 Spring Cleaning Tips For Your Kitchen
The words "spring cleaning" can make the neatest person cringe. They mean more work.
Window Shutters On A Budget
While there is great value in installing custom-made interior wood window shutters, sometimes they are still too expensive for certain applications. Some alternatives - including poly or vinyl shutters - are less expensive but also much less attractive.
Design Psychology: Fabrics
From a riot of color in bold chintzes to the gentle rustle of taffeta, fabrics influence our mental attitude in many subtle and not so subtle ways. Playful patterns make us smile, while mixing prints and solids can present a paradox of dynamic energy.
Swimming Pools - Lets Get Wet
"Beverly Hills. Swimming pools.
How To Choose The Right Home Water Filters and Water Purifiers For Your Needs
When it comes to home water filters and water purifiers, consumers have many choices. You can choose from leading name brands such as Brita, Culligan, PUR, and Braun.
Hot Tubs Create a Backyard Oasis
What would you like in the backyard that is great for entertaining, would be a focal point and can be enjoyed by the whole family? Hot tubs could be what you are looking for. Immersing in hot or warm water goes back centuries to Greek, Japanese and Roman texts.
Home Air Filters: Knowing Which One to Choose
Since air filters are one of the bests tools for eradicating allergens from your home, more people are using them than ever before. The trick is to find the one that works best for you, depending upon your specific needs.