Cleaning And Refinishing Hardwood Floors

This section looks at the best methods of cleaning old wood floors that need a new coat of finish.

Cleaning and refinishing hardwood floors.

You have to thoroughly clean the floor touch up any deep scratches and roughen the existing finish with sanding screens so the new finish will adhere well. Expect to spend at least one full day on this prep work for refinishing hardwood floors. Don t use straight ammonia alkaline products or abrasive cleaners. Because different floor finishes have unique care requirements the best way to clean hardwood floors will depend on the type of finish rather than the wood species e g cherry maple oak.

Keep in mind steam water vinegar and cleaners like murphy s oil soap that produces suds should never be used to clean wood floors. Steam can dull the finish and damage the wood. You need to use special techniques for cleaning heavily soiled hardwood floors without a finish. Method squirt and mop and bona hardwood floor cleaner are two good ones.

They ll dull or scratch the finish. Afterward mop using a micro cloth and concentrated cleaner specially made for hardwood floors. Don t rely on lemon juice or a vinegar and water solution to clean hardwood floors. You can also use a spray and mop product or disposable wet pads that are safe for hardwood floors.