Floor care depends upon what kind of finish is present on your hardwood floor. Always remember with a prefinish floor to follow the manufacturers recommendations.

FOR STARTERS (APPLIES TO EVERY HARDWOOD FLOOR)

Regularly sweep your floors with a soft broom. Dirt is abrasive and will dull the finish over time.

When wiping up messes and spills, use a dry or slightly damp towel.

Use rugs in high traffic areas, such as entrances and hallways, to keep feet clean. Or, if you can, leave your shoes at the door to prevent bringing in dirt.

Do NOT use oil soaps (Murphy’s oil is the most popular). They build up and will eventually dull the surface of the floor, and can make refinishing difficult, and recoating impossible.

Install felt feet to the bottom of all furniture to prevent scratching.

Invest in a vacuum with a bare floor attachment to guarantee removal of dust and dirt without scratching the floor.

When cleaning floors, use as little water as possible. Immediately wipe up any wet spots after cleaning, or on rainy days.

When moving furniture, lift instead of dragging

Never use cleaners designed for other surfaces- tile, lineoleum, or laminate- on hardwood. These will dull the surface, or cause it to become overly slippery.

IF YOU ARE UNSURE WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING FINISHES YOU HAVE PLEASE CALL OUR OFFICE 513-947-2400 AND WE CAN DIRECT YOU ON BEST COURSE OF ACTION!

 

Oil based polyurethane hardwood floors(Most common custom flooring)

DO NOT USE ANY WAX ON YOUR FLOORS!

DO NOT USE MURPHY’S OIL SOAP!

To mop your floor you can use most popular hardwood flooring cleaners. Poly care is the name I recommend but others work just fine. Distilled white vinegar and water works great as well (1 white vinegar/10 water)

If hardwood flooring cleaner will not remove anything stuck to the floor we ask that the use the following steps

  1. On your hands and knees try to rub hard with a soft cloth with floor cleaner

  2. Try denatured alcohol on a soft cloth. (Can be purchased anywhere paint it sold) You might need to let it sit for a minute to break down the dirt.

  3. Kerosene on a soft cloth.

  4. Call us to take a look! If we can remove it you will have to pay a service call ($70). If we can’t you owe us nothing for trying!

 

Water base hardwood floors (2nd most common custom flooring)

DO NOT USE ANY WAX ON YOUR FLOORS!

DO NOT USE MURPHY’S OIL SOAP!

DO NOT USE ALCOHOL ON THE FLOOR!

To mope your floor you can use most popular hardwood flooring cleaners. Poly care is the name I recommend but others work just fine. Distilled white vinegar and water works great as well (1 white vinegar/10 water)

 

Prefinished hardwood flooring

We always recommend finding what the manufacturer recommend for cleaning your prefinished hardwood floor. If you do not know the manufacturer we recommend a water based cleaner with a neutral ph (most hardwood flooring cleaner fall into this category).

 

Wax finished floors

I always recommend a good quality paste wax! If your floor is light in color purchase a neutral wax. If your floor is dark use a colored paste wax (I recommend DuraSeal coffee brown)

  • Take steel wool and rub off anything stuck to the floor.
  • Vacuum floor really well
  • Apply the wax lightly and evenly (per package instructions), working it into the surface.
  • If you prefer soft wax, use the liquid equivalent of paste wax.
  • As the waxed surface dries, it will appear cloudy. Buff to a shine with a clean towel, an electric polisher, or a terry cloth-covered sponge mop.