How to Care for Distressed Maple Floors

Distressed maple floors are hardwood floors that have been scraped to remove the soft wood fibers. The floor is then sealed with a penetrating stain and covered with a wax finish to give it a shine and a protective layer. Distressed floors can collect dirt in the nooks of the floor where the scraper removed fibers, so you must be careful to remove as much dirt as possible during cleaning. That, along with maintaining the wax layer, should give you a long-lasting floor.

Things You'll Need

• Dust mop
• Clean cloth
• Waxed floor cleaner
• Dirt-catching mats
• Furniture foot covers
• Vacuum
• Soft cloth or floor buffer
• Floor wax

Instructions

1. Dust mop the floors daily. Wipe up spills with a clean towel. Do not use water on distressed maple floors because these floors usually have a wax finish and water can damage it. For tough stains, lightly mist the area with a cleaner specifically designed for waxed wood floors. Follow the package directions for use.

2. Place dirt-catching mats at each doorway. This will keep grit from being tracked over the floor and scratching the finish.

3. Put covers on the feet of your furniture. This will prevent them from gouging the floor when you move the furniture.

4. Vacuum the floors once a week. If dirt stays trapped in the nooks and crannies of the distressed floor, scrub the dirty section with a stiff-bristled brush and vacuum it again.

5. Buff the floor as the finish loses its shine. Use a soft cloth or a floor buffer with a soft cloth pad and rub vigorously until the shine returns.

6. Apply a new coat of wax every four to six months or whenever buffing no longer restores the shine to the floor. Apply the wax in a thin, even layer, let it dry according to the package directions, and buff it to a shine.

References

• Northwest Renovation: Hardwood Floors 101
• Wood Flooring Manufacturers Association: Wood Floor Care Guide