How to Clean Polyurethane Wood Floors

A polyurethane finish on your hard wood floor will keep it looking like new with just a little care. Keeping sand and dirt from the floor is key in preserving the fine finish. Area and entrance rugs will help prevent the sand and dirt from getting onto the floor from the outdoors. Keeping the floor clean will only take a few minutes a day and an occasional half hour for deeper cleaning.

Things You'll Need

• Dust mop
• Wood floor polish
• Soft bristle broom
• Vacuum with a brush attachment
• Bucket
• White vinegar
• Sponge mop
• Clean rags
• Commercial wood floor cleaner

Instructions

1. Sweep the floor every day to remove all sand and dirt. Use a soft bristle broom or a vacuum with a brush attachment. Do not use a beater brush vacuum as it can scratch the finish on the floor.

2. Spray wood floor polish on a dust mop at night before bed. Then use the dust mop the next day without adding any more polish to it. Go under furniture and around the edges of the floor well, as the broom and vacuum don't get those areas well.

3. Add 1 cup of white vinegar to a couple of gallons of water in a bucket. Place a sponge mop in the mixture and wring it out. Mop the floor with this once a week. As you finish a small section, dry it off with a clean rag.

4. Use a commercial wood floor cleaner with a sponge for deep cleaning of badly soiled floors. Clean only the areas of the floor that really need it, when they need it. These types of cleaners can be harsh and damage the surface if used too much.