How to Clean a Hardwood Floor After Taking Off Carpet

What's Underneath Your Carpet?

Have you discovered some beautiful hardwood flooring under your old carpet? Instead of getting new carpet, you may want to try restoring the hardwood floor, giving the room an entirely new appearance. After removing the carpet and tack strips, a thorough cleaning of the hardwood will allow you to determine whether you need to have the floor refinished or if you can simply polish and go.

Instructions

Preparing to Clean Hardwood Floors

1. Check for and remove any stray nails or tacks that were left over from removing the carpet.

2. Sweep the room thoroughly. Use a broom or a Shop Vac to pick up dust and debris.

3. Use a wood-safe soap, such as Murphy's Oil Soap and hot water to mop down the wood floor. Use a scrub brush to work up any spots where the carpet backing may have adhered to the floor. Look for spots where the water may be soaking into the wood and causing it to darken. This indicates that the finish has deteriorated and that the floor will need repairs to the finish in those spots or a complete refinishing of the whole room.

4. Dry the floor with towels to soak up excess water. Then allow it to air dry thoroughly.

5. Finish with a no-buff wax coating or an acrylic wax finish to bring the shine back to the hardwood flooring. It is helpful to know what material was used originally, as different wax finishes and sealers will or will not work on certain bases. Read the directions on a product thoroughly before applying. Test a small area that will be hidden to determine the results.

Tips & Warnings

• Contact a floor care specialist for further advice, if you are uncertain how to proceed.

• Always have adequate ventilation when applying wax and acrylic finishes.

Resources

• Removing Carpet from Hardwood Flooring
• Hardwood Floor Care & Repair