BROWSE HOW TOs

How to Clean a Polyurethane-Coated Hardwood Floor

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

Rate: (46 Ratings)

Polyurethane-finished hardwood floors are tough and will last for years with the proper care. Fortunately, caring for these floors is a snap.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Liquid Dish Soap
Brooms
Clean Rags
Dustpans
Mops
Towels
Vacuums
Oil Soaps
Buckets

Step1

Clear the room of rugs and as much furniture as possible. This helps to ensure that the entire floor gets equal treatment.

Step2

Sweep and/or vacuum the floor carefully. Dirt left on the floor during mopping can act as an abrasive.

Step3

Mix about 1 tsp. grease-cutting dish soap or oil soap into a large bucket full of warm water. The exact mixture isn't crucial; just keep the amount of soap to a bare minimum.

Step4

Start mopping in a corner along the wall farthest from the door, and mop the entire floor with firm strokes. Make sure the mop is well wrung out and not drippy. Both foam and string mop heads will work.

Step5

Use new solution when the water begins to grow cloudy or dirty.

Step6

Repeat the process with fresh water (no soap) once the entire surface has been thoroughly mopped with the cleaning solution. This will pick up the soapy residue and leave your floor clean and shiny.

Step7

Buff dry with clean, dry towels.

Tips & Warnings

Be very careful with water; you may need to spot-clean around any unsealed gaps between slats. Always buff the floor dry.
Don't use cleaning oils or furniture polishes on polyurethane-coated floors, as these can leave a residue that will cause refinishing problems later. Certain chemical-based strippers can damage the finish as well.

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Comments

MJLL said

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on 9/27/2008 What about using windex and a damp felt magic cloth? Is there a danger in it destroying the finish on engineered hardwood with windex? It seems to give my floors the best shine, however I am concerned it may do long term damage. Vinegar and water on my floors leaves streaks, but windex leaves a nice even shine.

MJLL said

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on 9/27/2008 I have recently bought a house with dark brown engineered hardwood floors and cannot keep them clean. They show every little mark and there is no way you can walk on them with bare feet. We have a dog and paw marks show even when her feet are dry. I have been using a Bona Hardwood floor cleaner but it seems to be too oily or waxey and shows everything. Anyone have any ideas??

michelle44 said

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on 7/8/2008 Hi there,
Just to advise you that I did the same thing. I removed the orange glow with WD40, as it contains fish oil, and only oil will remove oil.
It is amazing how well WD40 works for so many things.

mlarssen said

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on 11/17/2007 Did you ever get the Orange Glow haze off? If so how?

SeaLisa said

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on 1/9/2008 Help!! I was a dunce and used orange glo on part of my factory finished polyurethane wood floor. Now there is a haze that just keeps smearing around no matter what I do. It will look OK right after I mop but then as soon as you walk on it it looks "smeary" and dirty. Any ideas? I've tried poly-care, soap and water, vinegar, denatured alcohol and it's still there. Thanks!