How to Clean Wood Floors Correctly

Wood floors are a beautiful addition to any home. However, if the floors are dirty, they can be an eyesore. If you take the time to clean wood floors correctly, they will enhance your home for years.

Instructions

1. Determine what kind of finish your hard wood floor has. Most new floors have a urethane, polyacrylic or polyurethane seal on them. These floors are easy to clean because they are water resistant. However, your floor may have an oil, lacquer, varnish or shellac finish. These finishes require a bit more care to clean. Rub your finger across the floor to determine the finish. If your finger does not leave a smudge, your floors are sealed. If your finger does leave a smudge, you need to give your floors special treatment.

2. If your floors have been sealed, don't use wax, oil or furniture spray to clean them. Also, don't use ammonia, abrasive or alkaline products because these will damage the finish. Mix a solution of Murphy oil soap and warm water to clean the wood floor.

3. Sweep or use a vacuum attachment to remove any dust or debris from the floor. Wet your mop and wring it out. Too much water will damage the wood, so you want to make sure your mop is just damp. Mop back and forth, following the direction of the wood grain. Change the water as necessary. When you have finished, go over the floor again with clean water to rinse it. Use a washcloth to clean areas with stuck on food or dirt.

4. If your floors have an oil, lacquer, varnish or shellac finish, do not use water to clean them. Also, don't use acrylic, water-based or furniture waxes. Use a liquid or paste wax designed especially for unsealed wood floors.

5. Vacuum and sweep unsealed wood floors regularly to clean them. Don't use a damp mop on them. When you want to clean them, strip off the old wax and apply a new coat. Buff the wax with a cloth to shine the finish.