Maintenance and Care Hardwood Floors

How To’s

Never damp mop, steam mop, or wet-mop hardwood floors.
- Standing water may cause permanent damage.
- Too much water can cause the floor to swell or warp.
- Excessive moisture will dull the finish and could lead to a cupped floor.
- If the finish is worn or scratched, even steam could seep into your wood floors, eventually causing damage.
- You may periodically use a very slightly dampened (near dry) mop to spot-clean.
  - The moisture from the dampened mop should evaporate off the floor very quickly.
Don’t let water or liquid stand on your floor or use wet cloths for clean-up.
Don’t let even damp throw or scatter rugs sit on your floor.
Don’t let sand, dirt or grit build up.
- This can act like sandpaper and actually abrade and dull your floor finish.
Don’t slide heavy furniture or appliances across room.
- Pick these pieces up to move – even if only a few feet.
Don’t walk on your hardwood floors in high heels, cleats, or sports shoes.
- If you must walk in high heels, make sure they are in good repair.
Don’t let your pet’s claws go untrimmed.
- If you have pets in the home, follow our tips for Floor Care With Fur Babies.

Don’t use throw rugs with rubber or vinyl backing without checking to determine if they will affect your floor’s finish.
- Some materials in the backing can react with certain floor finishes, discoloring or causing the finish to become dull.
Don’t put any tape – even blue tape – directly on your hardwood floor.
- It may pull the polyurethane finish when removed.
NEVER use any of the following products on the floor as they can dull, discolor, or damage your hardwood floor’s surface.
- Oil Soap (these can dull today’s floor finishes and make refinishing difficult)
- Mineral Spirits
- Paint Thinner
- Acetone
- Ammonia-Based Cleaners
- Acrylic Finishes
- Wax-Based Products
- Detergents
- Bleach
- Polishes
- Abrasive Cleaning Soaps
- Acidic Materials (like vinegar)

Remember that water is wood’s No. 1 enemy

Vacuum, dry mop, or sweep regularly – followed by a recommended hardwood safe cleaner.
- It’s a good idea to keep on hand a wood cleaning kit.
- Floors Etc. will be happy to recommend one that best suits your needs.
Attend to spills right away.
Place interior and exterior mats at entrances to trap sand, grit, and other substances.
- A grain of sand has dozens of sharp edges and can create scratches if tracked across the floor.
- Be careful of other debris such as small rocks and pebbles being dragged across the floor.
Use area rugs in front of kitchen sinks and in high traffic areas.
- We recommend using a breathable rug underlay; mesh or grid patterns are best.
- Do not use rugs with solid rubber or vinyl backings as this may damage the finish.
Use protective pads or caps, such as Bona® Floor Guards, on feet of furniture. Fix rolling furniture with soft rubber casters.
- Periodically check the felt tips for wear or buildup of grit/debris and replace as needed.

Natural products, especially those that are smoked/fumed or reactive stained, will change color over time as a result of oxidation and UV rays. This color change is inherent and not a defect.
- Limit direct sunlight on the floor by using curtains and blinds in areas that are exposed to high UV rays.
- We recommend rearranging rugs and furniture periodically so that the color changes evenly, especially in the first few months the floor is installed.
Adhere to Manufacturer Warranty and Guidelines
- Be sure to read any care and maintenance literature provided by the manufacturer because different styles and finishes can each have their own unique guidelines.
  - Floors Etc. will provide you with any product warranties upon completion of your project.
FOR WAX FINISH FLOORS ONLY: Have floors professionally cleaned and waxed once or twice a year – or as often as needed in heavily trafficked areas. A wax coating forms a barrier against the most frequent kinds of abrasions and can be easily renewed.

IMPORTANT: NEVER apply wax treatments to urethane-finished floor.

1. Vacuum or Sweep
- The best method of removing dirt and grit is vacuuming.
- If using the Bona® mop to dry mop, remove any loose dirt or grit on the mop afterwards by rinsing with water and wringing out the mop pad.
  - This should be done prior to cleaning floor.
2. Clean
- Lightly mist a 4′ x 6′ area of your floor or directly mist the cleaning pad on your Bona® mop with Bona® cleaner and thoroughly clean the floor with the mop.
- Finish one area before moving on to the next.
  - Your Bona® mop pads are reusable and washable.
  - Do not use any fabric softeners, dryer sheets or bleach on your Bona® mop pads as these products will diminish the natural cleaning characteristics of the microfiber.
  - When the mop pad becomes excessively soiled, launder and/or replace with another clean mop pad.
    - Continued use of excessively soiled pads may cause streaking.